First let me qualify that I am a dealer on the side for VMPS. I'll let you read the reviews and do the research on their planar hybrid speakers that have received great reviews from professionals and users. I've been recommending them for years and have been a dealer for about a month so I truly do believe what I'm saying. They're a must listen in their prospective price classes. It's bargain city here. The most important thing for anybody is to auditon all speakers that they can. One of the reviewers did replace a pair of about 7k dollar speakers with the 626R's which can be had in your price range. Here's some reviews: http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=13112
I'm sure the Von Schweikert recommendation is also a good one. There's also a list of owners of VMPS speakers around the country that will let you audition their speakers even if you aren't interested in buying any here: http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=10789
That said you can get Dunlavy's SCIII or IV for about two grand. They sound great and are also a bargain for the sound. Vandersteen 3a's should also be auditioned. These three recommendations are all great for the money but they all sound different so go listen. Good luck to you on your speaker search.
I'm sure the Von Schweikert recommendation is also a good one. There's also a list of owners of VMPS speakers around the country that will let you audition their speakers even if you aren't interested in buying any here: http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=10789
That said you can get Dunlavy's SCIII or IV for about two grand. They sound great and are also a bargain for the sound. Vandersteen 3a's should also be auditioned. These three recommendations are all great for the money but they all sound different so go listen. Good luck to you on your speaker search.