Sonata CD30 CD player, Sonata AR30 AM/FM/Sirius Ready 2.1 receiver, Sirocco S70 floorstanding loudspeaker, Kimber speaker cables, and custom BMA interconnects and powercords.

I listened to the above system last night at my local audio dealer's home. The short version of this post is simply to state the system is simply "fair" or "decent".

I thought the S70's were disappointing at their price point, $600.00/pr. Out of the box the mids are neutral and treble is under control with sufficient detail without sounding bright. Overall, I thought the speaker had decent tonal accuracy. The bass really could not be evaluated fairly since this listen was a first listen right out the box. Visually, these speaker look pretty cool with their plinth on and only stand about 36" tall. The gill needs to come off as their presentation into the room was hampered with the grills on. Even with the grills off the speaker..the best description I can give hereis that soundstaging is not their strong suit. The speakers really don't project any feeling of texture to the body of music and separation of instruments were again fair or decent.

I had listened to the Usher S-520's earlier in the week through the same Cambridge Sonata electronics and the Usher's are simply more musical and have more verve or panache in their presentation. The Sonata is "okay" for a budget system but no sonic miracles or grand slam to be expected within this Cambridge series.

IMHO, the Sirocco series of speakers should be passed on by since I don't feel their performance meets the price. You are better served by products in the same price range from Mordaunt Short, Paradigm, Focal, and Canton.

LeRoy