I think the VPI Scoutmaster is an excellent table to try - it's obviously a very popular line, there is a lot of support for it, and it is widely reviewed positively.
The Sapphires are less, retail, than the C4's, but the C4's are available used for under $10K and the only way to get the Sapphires at this point is to pay their retail price of $16.5K. It's a great litmus test for the significant other, though - they currently cost more to obtain, but they are a far better looking speaker for the domestic environment. I like the looks of the C4, but it is very large.
The Sapphires are less, retail, than the C4's, but the C4's are available used for under $10K and the only way to get the Sapphires at this point is to pay their retail price of $16.5K. It's a great litmus test for the significant other, though - they currently cost more to obtain, but they are a far better looking speaker for the domestic environment. I like the looks of the C4, but it is very large.