What Makes Reference 3A Loudspeakers special is the full range driver implemented in each design, as well as the attention they pay to correct time-alignment of the drivers. What this means to you as the listener is more holographic imaging and soundstaging, and better reproduction of instrumenatl and vocal harmonic structures. These are truly a terrific bargain for the audiophile. Giving you sound often associated with speakers twice the price. The only drawback to the Reference 3A speakers is that they cannot be played to concert hall levels with music that has a lot of bass. They do fine with classical and most jazz, but are not known for their ability to crank rock music to "11".