I actually built two full sets (ten speakers, total) and gave one set to my brother Kevin. He connected his to a standard Sony surround receiver and commented that the speakers were noticeably less effi cient than the Sony speakers that accompanied his receiver; in other words, the SC-5.1 speakers required more power to produce the same amount of sound as the Sony speakers. He further stated that the SC-5.1 speakers sounded amazing, were extremely detailed, and that they made the Sony speakers sound like tin cans on twine. I connected my set of SC-5.1 speakers to a new Emotiva DMC-1 processor and MPS-1 amplifi er with no previous reference speakers. My old "Hi-Fi" set was a DJ amp and two EV-1502 speakers. I've found the SC-5.1 to be very accurate and easy to listen to. Bass is well-developed when integrated with the previously mentioned Dayton Titanic Subwoofer. The system's sound stage is expansive, vocals fl oat effort lessly through the air, and cymbals and bells are presented as if they are right there in the living room. While listening to one of my favorite jazz songs, "Take Five", I closed my eyes and was able to place the physical position of each instrument. Other listeners, including Dani (my wife), Jane (good friend), and Josh (fellow Audiophile) commented that the SC-5.1s are warm, inviting, and appear to reproduce sound effortlessly. Unfortunately, I don't possess any audio test equipment so audition reviews will have to suffice for now.