Summary:
Purchased the NEAR 20M's after a long search for a stand mounted main speaker. My wife and I listened to the B&W CDMse, DM 602 &601, Nautilus, Platinum Solo, Mission 751's, Epos, Energy C-2, C-4, Paradigm Studio 20's, Totem model 1, Dynaudio audience 40, 50, and the Sonus Faber. If this sounds like a long search, it was! The finesse and detail presented by the NEAR's won me over. My wife liked the smaller NEAR 10's (sounded very much like the 20's but lack the slam and punch. The 20's were the compromise and only between myself and my wife. the only other speaker we were chosing from is the small NEAR 10's!!!The 20's are a tremendous value more detail than any of the B&W's (even the Nautilus) Bass not as good as the Platinum's but the platinums cost twice as much and do not have the detail. Top end is very open, and extended without any harshness. Midrange is just perfect. If you are looking for a good speaker in the $1000-$2000 price range. Save your money and buy an excellent speaker instead. I just want to say thank you to Sam (the dealer that sold then to me) for walking me away from the Nautilus and showing me the NEAR's. It is not often a dealer will show you the best product even if it may hurt his sales. The only dealer I know of in CT is Audio etc.. in Orange. I think there are a few in New York.. Please go listen to these they really are great!!! A definite 5 star product * * * * * (six stars if I could)
Associated Equipement:
Anthem Integrated 2
Marantz CD67SE (modified)
XLO Pro speaker cables and interconnects

Summary:
Just brought home a pair of NEAR 20M's after a very long seach for the perfect under $1500 dollar loudspeaker. I have listened to the dynaudio 4o + 50, Paradigm ref 20, Energy C-2,C-4,C-6,C-8,, Legacy studio, B+W CDMse1, small nautalis, DM 602, DM 601, Epos, Totem, Monitor audio, Mission and probably a few more anyways, it took about 2 months. When it was all said and done a pair of New England Audio Resource loudspeakers came home. If you have never heard them you should, and if in the market for new speakers you must!!! Do not be fooled by their low price($899) they compete with the big boys ($2000+). TRANSPARENT, RYTHUM, QUICKNESS, AIR, DETAIL, and all but the last 15-20 Hz of information. But, you will not miss it. If I could convince everyone to listen I would but, I can only give them 5 stars. Go Listen!!!!!!!!!! Purchased mine in Orange CT, Audio etc.. I think the number is 799-6400 I do not work for them. I am just a guy who is very happy a salesman convinced me to listen. 5 BIG STARS.