Speaker Ideas upto $2500

Zu Druids are not a good idea. You can drive something fairly inefficient with that amp. Since you are moving and planning on a sub then get some small monitors that do not try to plumb the depths. Totem, Dynaudio, GMA, ATC, Harbeth or B&W might be a good place to start looking. Have you heard anything you like?

If your amp can handle a speaker impedance which drops down to 1.6 ohms at 20kHz (I don't know if the s300iu can or not), you might also want to consider the Martin-Logan Source, at around $2200 new. I haven't heard it, but reviews have been very positive, and I would expect it to offer better transparency (both literally and figuratively!) than most speakers in its price range.

http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/source.html

Regards,
-- Al

I've been living with a pair of Mirage OMD-15s for nearly a year. I liked them when I got them, but I like them even better the more I listen to them. They are deceptively versatile, having good low-level detail, smooth on- and off-axis response (they're nearly omnidirectional), enough bass extension that you're unlikely to need a sub unless it's an unfriendly room or you're a pipe organ freak. They are quite strong down to the mid-30s at least.

I have broad musical tastes, and play a lot of LPs and a fair amount of digital sources through these speakers, including chamber music, small orchestral baroque, bombastic large orchestral music (e.g., The Planets), opera, large scale oratorios, classic rock and pop, acoustic pop (James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell), electric and acoustic blues, acoustic bluegrass/country, and jazz--lots of jazz, from solo guitar to small group to big band. These speakers never disappoint. They scale well from solo all the way to large ensembles, present a coherent soundstage, and yet delineate inner voices, delicate harmonies, and counterpoints easily.

As omnis, they can fill a large space without straining, but since they are small columns with two active 5.5" woofers (and one passive radiator), they're unlikely to overload mid-sized rooms. The bass speed and clarity (especially when teamed with an ICE amp) is pretty astonishing.

For best soundstage and imaging, it's best to space these speakers wider than is customary, and to have them at least 3 feet out from the walls, but when you do, what a soundstage!

The thing I like best, however, is how practical and social these speakers are. The circular, uniform dispersion means there is no venetian blinding, no suckouts, no "cupped hands" effect, no "head in a vice" requirements. Put on some music and anyone in the listening area get treated to a stable soundstage like a live performance. Great for parties and large groups. But equally adept for intimate listening for one or two.

Choose your speakers first, and then buy an appropriate amp, rather than trying to match speakers to the Bel Canto integrated amp. Since you mentioned "something like the Bel Canto S300iu", I'm assuming you haven't yet purchased an amplifier.

High sensitivity (90+ dB)/8 ohm nominal impedance/flat impedance curve (low impedance not dipping below 6 ohms) speakers will provide you the greatest latitude when selecting your amplifier.

Can you do better than the Druids in a high sensitivity, high impedance, full range loudspeaker for $2500 used? I'm not sure...maybe a Proac model? Lots of people loved the Druids for a long time until a newer, fresher rabbit showed up in the field. Buy them used for around $1500, and you'll be in good shape to try them and resell them with little loss if you don't care for them.

Having said all that, if you already own the Bel Canto S300iu, then as Shadorne said, you have a large selection of speakers from which to choose that will perform well with the amplifier. Near the top of my list would be used Vandersteen 3A Reference.

You have a easy decision. The best speakers under $2500 are the Legacy Audio Focus 20/20's. Sell your sub, and come out even better. Ive owned many speakers, and anyone who doesnt think a used Focus 20/20 isnt the best speaker or value under $2500 has lost there mind.