i've never heard people say CDT can't handle power, if anything they handle more power than most. Alot depends on the crossover also. I've run up to 300rms on my ES-600 using the 560crossover and run it at 150rms per woofer and 50rms per tweeter actively and never had problems. Rainbows are a nice set of speakers up the midrange is where I have problems with it as they seem to have a airy, light feeling midrange...too warm. I believe it was their 3 midlevel series i had used about 3 yrs ago. For the prices both are good. at a little more though you could have gotten the HD series which I like better than the Rainbows.