If you are looking for lifelike bass reproduction and a loudspeaker that gets out of the way of the music I would say the Vandersteen 2Ce Signature II will accomplish that. I would think the Vandersteens would take some effort to knock over. Avalon Evolution NP 2.0s are only 7.5" wide, are lighter and are only 4.5" shorter. I would think it would be easier to tip the Avalons.

I've only recently heard the Thiel CS2.4 and I thought they were a little forward, and didn't have the satisfying bass of the Vandersteen but those are my preferences coming through. And if you don't have a large listening room the Thiels really don't work very well. I really like the Vandersteen 2Ce Signature II better even though its less than half the price. Even for less than the Thiels one could get into the Vandersteen 3A Signature. But you really have to listen to find out for yourself. You can ask all the questions you want of others but that can't replace going and actually listening to these loudspeakers that you've narrowed your choices down to.

This weekend will I have an opportunity to listen to the Avalon Evolution NP 2.0 and I will let you know what I think next week.

Great call, Wig! I might pick up a pair, too, when I move into a bigger place, but it sucks to know that I'll be paying a bit more.

Congratulations! That is going to sound sweet I bet. I did indeed listen to the Avalon Evolution NP 2.0s this weekend and have to say I was not convinced that they would suit me better than the Vandersteen 2Ce Signature IIs. I liked them, and I wasn't able to compare them side by side, but it seems I wasn't taken to the same place as I remember the Vandersteens did. Let us know what you think when you get things set up.