Speakers with Lamm ML2.1

Personally, I would look at Avantgardes new line up. I would also put Verity on the list.

Well, I am going to disagree with Lapierre about the Avalon Eidolon Diamond. (Not that I don't think that they are good speakers - they are magnificient - but, they will not work well with only 18 wpc, IMHO. I believe these speakers really need at least 100 wpc, in order to get decent bass out of them, and 200 wpc to maximize the bass response.)

Personally I think that you'll need to think about going with horns. (I am not a huge fan of the Avantegarde horn speakers, but I do like the Acapella horn speakers. They just seem a bit more refined to my ears.)

Here is a speaker right at your budget limit, that would be perfect. They are 94 db efficient, so the 18 wpc should work pretty well with them.

Acapella Triolons for sale here on Audiogon

(Note: I have not heard these, but I did hear their little brothers, the Acapella High Violincellos, and they were great!)

My two cents worth anyway.
Good Luck in your search!

Thank you for all the input.

What do you guys think of the Von Schweikert VR5-SE?
It is 94 DB. Does anyone have experience with these and how would it match with the Lamm ML2.1?

Well, I am going to disagree with Lapierre about the Avalon Eidolon Diamond.

I am going to agree with Kurt tanks disagree. The same would hold true with the Magico's though, not happening with 18 WPC. I am aware that the ML2.1 is a conservative 18 watts, but it's still less than an ideal match with these speakers. This all of course IMHO.

Additionally, your room size calls for a smaller speaker.
I think Lokie had some great suggestions. Although I have never heard of Lamm tubed amps w/ either DeVore or Audio Note speakers, those are two more that come to mind.

For efficient speakers you may want to consider silverline audio. the bolero or la folia should be fine with 18 wpc. the bolero are fine for a mid-sized room. never heard with the lamm though. there were a couple of positive mentions of the silverline boleros at the ces this year -- not sure which ones - the bolero supreme are 12k but the new grand bolero are 30K.