Selection of speakers is probably the most critical decision in setting up any system. There are so many variables it's incredible -- and I wouldn't rely on anyone here, or anything other than your own ears. $8-9 large is alot of money and a bad decision can be a very costly error. Also, Lapierre's remarks about building a system are right on. A good system will be worth more than the sum of its parts.
This may be heresy on Audiogon, but in my opinion, unless you really really know what you're doing, I think that a system you put together with a good dealer, new, is likely to be more musically satisfying than one made by putting together a selection of very nice "top rated" pieces. The latter is a crap shoot -- and the house usually wins (yikes, where did that come from?!).
New doesn't necessarily mean full retail either, btw. You can usually do a little better -- but dollar for dollar, within your budget . . . especially when you're starting from scratch and new to equipment at a high price range . . . you're better off with a dealer. It's your money, not mine, 'just saying what I'd do.
There are many many good speakers in the $8-9K price range. All of that said, my personal favorite around your price range is the Quad ESL-2805, but all speakers have compromises of one sort or another and the trick is to select speakers that, in the context of a coherent system, compromise in a way that's best to you. (e-mail me if you'd like the name of my dealer, who has never steered me wrong. If I mentioned his name here I might sound like a shill, please which believe me I am not.)
Audiogon definitely has a place, mind you. I buy and sell here. But I wouldn't put together a whole system here, based on the advice of others -- as you'll see, the advice will be all over the place. Hope this helps.
This may be heresy on Audiogon, but in my opinion, unless you really really know what you're doing, I think that a system you put together with a good dealer, new, is likely to be more musically satisfying than one made by putting together a selection of very nice "top rated" pieces. The latter is a crap shoot -- and the house usually wins (yikes, where did that come from?!).
New doesn't necessarily mean full retail either, btw. You can usually do a little better -- but dollar for dollar, within your budget . . . especially when you're starting from scratch and new to equipment at a high price range . . . you're better off with a dealer. It's your money, not mine, 'just saying what I'd do.
There are many many good speakers in the $8-9K price range. All of that said, my personal favorite around your price range is the Quad ESL-2805, but all speakers have compromises of one sort or another and the trick is to select speakers that, in the context of a coherent system, compromise in a way that's best to you. (e-mail me if you'd like the name of my dealer, who has never steered me wrong. If I mentioned his name here I might sound like a shill, please which believe me I am not.)
Audiogon definitely has a place, mind you. I buy and sell here. But I wouldn't put together a whole system here, based on the advice of others -- as you'll see, the advice will be all over the place. Hope this helps.