Just to change tack slightly, and without starting a new thread, what is the consensus on adding a sub to a music system?
I no longer have the luxury of floor standers, but I do have a REL Stadium to compensate for my small one's, not quite the whole picture, but much better at the truely low notes, esspecially the organ, pressurises the entire (small) house with the windows closed 
I used to use a pair of active 8 inch downward firing stereo subs. Kind of odd, you didn't really notice them till they were'nt there,then when you powered them back up again,everything fell back into place, especially with classical and jazz stuff. WIth most rock stuff, unless it was really well recorded they sounded pretty naff in a pumped up corsa full of bass bins kind of way.
1 on it's own did sound a bit poo, but the stereo pair were really effective,provided you were quite subtle with the cutoff and the level controls.
okay I've managed to get a listen to some. I've a varied musicl taste so went off armed with a small selection, Linkin Park, Adele, Clapton and Snow Patrol...and ready to accept that no speaker woould display them all perfectly, I'm after an acceptable all rounder.
KEF iq 500, new version of the 50s apparently, but 100 quid more. Not for me. In my view a clear sound but no bass at all really, no depth to speak of, no warmth and a concern of sibilance on the 's's and cymbals. KEF are not for me.
got to listen to some 'dale 10.2s, book shelf but gave me an idea of how the 10.4 and 10.5s might sound. Quite pleasing, far more bass than the KEFs even though just bookshelf. Not the clarity, not the separation or staging, but warm and deep. Would be interested in hearing the bigger bassed sound of the floorstanders. Nice shape too.
Also heard some old Mordaunt shorts, err ms 96, or 609? I was told they were about 6 years old, shop demo, origially about 600 but offered to me at 300. I'm not interested ...for the same reaosn as everyone else - the colour, an iffy sort of cherry. However they were worth a listen I thought and I found them the most enjoysble. Plenty of bass...slight concern the bass was flabby but I think it was the poor positioning of the speaker (not on flat floor, half on carpet, half on lino), otherwise more clarity and staging than the 'dales. These speakers engaged me, I found mself tapping a foot to the music 
Think the Mordaunt shorts are favourites. Oh and a visit to Richer sounds (packed so no chance of a listen in there today) and I learnt that the avianos are tested using my amp. I know Cambridge Audio and MS have some sort of relationship, seems to support the Avianos. Richer sounds were not overly keen on aranging a demo for me, which was a bit frustrating, but they did push me to take the speakers home on trial or return. That is the best way to listen to them in reality....although making a trip to return them will only happen if I clearly don't like them so the sale is 90% made once I walk out with them and I'm sure they know that. Still, having heard the older MS speakers elsewhere I'm giving it thought.
Not that they're floorstanders, but I've a pair of Castle's last big 'bookshelf' speakers (you'd need a bloody big bookshelf) - Castle Edens.
They are an amazingly natural sound, if a little soft from a lower powered amp. I did have then powered by an Arcam Alpha 9, which sadly went the way of most Arcams of that era and died. A smaller Arcam Delta I picked up for peanuts really struggles to push them. However, with a big amp and a big room, I'd jump at the cance for any Castles
Have some Monitor Audio Gold Series 703 PMCs that are for sale. fabulous speaker but no room for them in my life anymore 
Email me if interested...
floorstanders at that price are never going to be that refined.
personally a good standmount would be my choice. (currently using PMC tb2's that if i'm honest are too big for the room and would be better off with the DB1)
You're right about Mordaunt Short and Richer Sounds, M/ Short are Richer Sounds in house speaker manufacturer and brand, Cambridge Audio being their in house electronics brand. If you ignore the brand snob/price nazis,it's terrific kit for the money
Mordaun short 906 from your description, three drivers arranged vertically? I've got a pair on my second system,and yup, they're pretty engaging,I like 'em lots.
It's worth making sure you use the spikes to isolate the cabinets from the floor. I've filled the lower box in mine with playpit sand as well. Really damps cabinet resonance and tightens up the bass and stops the kids knocking them over.
They're all good speakers you're looking at, don't think you can wrong there.
If you can convince your dealer to let you try some in your own room to make sure they integrate well with its acoustics that would be a very good thing.
Have fun auditioning speakers - what a horrible task 
If you can track down Ruark stand mount speakers they're worth a listen. I listened to similar priced floor standers and thought they sounded a bit bland compared to good speakers on very good stands.
Having listened to some Monitor audio Bronze BX2 I was stuck with buying them or paying more than double for the next ones that sounded better to my ears - another set from Monitor as it happened. I made my own stands.
After a listen to some KEF IQ500s, some wharfedale Diamond 10.2s (the bookshelfers) and thw avianos.....the avianos arenow on 48 hour run in in my lounge 
Thanks all for the tips and help.
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