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[jhelmuth]

Rogue & 300CAWD... good posts! I'd like to contribute some of my experience as well. I tend to agree with 300CAWD, but there is some qualification that I think should be consider by anyone looking to mod their existing system...

Now this is just my opinion, but it is based on some sound engineering experience in live sound stage construction and HT tuning...

Audio quality is not equal to the sum of the parts. IE - replacing one element in the system with an "upgraded" part does not equate to "better" audio quality. Great audio is the result of a great design of the entire system. Generally speaking, the acheivement of the target sound stage starts with the analysis of the room to be filled (in this case the 300C) and the desired audio quality for it (echo/reverberation, tonal, etc.). Then, depending upon the ability to modify the room charicteristics, the appropriate drivers are chosen (speakers) along with the necessary crossover networks. Only after those are selected can you choose a proper amplifier (albeit you can generally select higher power models that exhibit other desired tonal qualities if the # of amplifiers are known as well as the amplification strategy - bi-amp, etc. - as it is better to have too much power than not enough).

With respect to how this applies to the 300C...

I think the Boston SGII system does a really great job for most listening tastes as well as the given environment and even across a broad spectrum of recordings. Only those with extreme over-coloring tastes (typically in the lower frequencies) will benefit in DIY "upgrades" (and there's nothing wrong with that!)
I would advice some caution in modifying this system without having the skills to correctly target the desired changes in the sound stage. Issues that will can have unexpected adverse results include...

* improperly matched impedences resulting in balance that is dificult or impossible to correct
* frequency cancellization from incorrect polarization
* Early demise of drivers from incorrect amplifier matching and/or incorrect efficency (Q) for the target environment (sounds good, but the VC's are overtaxed at higher loads and fail prematurely).
* Sound color is off between drivers due to different Q, incorrect crossover network matching, diaphram qualities, and radiance materials.

These are just the major issues that are thought about when designing a system. If really great sound is critical to you (IE - you are a critical listener and it's not just about how "loud" you can make it), please make sure that what ever upgrade you try is easily "un-done" (I'd want a good return policy from my supplier) so you have a chance to experiment without loosing too much $ in the process of finding that "better" system.

Great sound is elusive and best left to experienced pro's who can usually acheive the end results you want at ultimately less cost.

Again... just my opinion!