" wrote:

Laurence Payne wrote:

Oh, don't worry about Phil and his attitude problem.

But speakers live in a room and the two must be considered together. I
like wooden floors too. But you might like to investigate the effect
of bringing your speakers a little closer to the listening position
and throwing a couple of rugs on the floor in-between. Soft
furnishings and heavy curtains are good too.

Thank you.

Rugs, yes have them, tick, covering the immediate area around the
notional speaker position.

Heavy curtain, tick (would be behind speakers/stands)
Large sofas, tick.

It's a thick wood floor (not laminate), laid on a concrete slab (modern
top floor flat).

I'd love to know a few brands/models to start listening to and if my
price bracket / wooden floor / will totally waste the amp's capability
- clearly listenting to my amp in a shop is not possible and a starting
point, before borrowing speakers would be nice.............but I
appreciate may not be realistic.

The ampliifer makes sod all difference really. Except for extreme cases ( and
valve equipment ) there is no significant 'interestion' between an amp and the
speakers ( short of dismal design ).

Graham