Upgrade from Silverline 11

I agree with Samac that the TSMs are very good speakers. I had a pair of Merlin TSM-SE speakers, and they were nice. It is my understanding that they were not a stock pair but had been tweaked for a review. I've heard the MXe version too.

However, I replaced the Merlins in my system with a pair of Silverline SR-17.5 speakers. I found that the Siverlines handled a wider range of music than the TSM. I also preferred the articulation of the 1st order crossover in the 17.5s. To get a more refined sound, I did, however, replace the stock capacitor and resistor. So if you just want to refine your SR-11s, I you might want to think about that.

You should listen to the TSM speaker to see if it works well with your range of music. It is a good speaker. The 17.5s with an upgraded crossover has the potential perhaps to give you the refinement for which you are looking along with more dynamics. But don't get me wrong, the stock 17.5 is an excellent speaker and worth your consideration whether you upgrade the crossover or not.

If you don't want a floor standing speaker you should consider the Silverline 17 or 17.5. If you like the sound of Silverline, move up the chain, you won't be disappointed and there shouldn't be any surprises.

Since the Merlins have been suggested I would also take a look at Ushers higher end monitors;I have rw729's driven with both tubes and solid state and they perform extremely well.

As I mentioned in my previous note, I own a pair of 17.5s. I I also have a pair of 17s that I am holding for a friend until he can pick them up. The 17s have less bass and run out of steam before the 17.5s, but for my tastes, I prefer either of them before the TSM. That is a roundabout way of saying that I think Lak made an excellent suggestion if you want to stay with a Silverline monitor type speaker. I don't see a 17 or 17.5 listed for sale at the moment, but there is a pair of TSM-MXe listed for $1750. They would be a good speaker, are within your budget, are available now, but in my experience don't handle as wide a range of music as well as the 17.5s. If you wait and find a pair of 17.5s I am sure you would like them. But if you are not in a hurry, if you can snag a pair of 17.5s I think you'd be pleased.

I was going to suggest the same thing - stick with Silverline since you like the 11's - he makes excellent speakers all around. That said, I don't know that the step up to the 17's would be that significant for your having owned three different pairs of them. They are certainly excellent speakers and for monitors give you a pretty great low-end, but if you really want to improve on that aspect of performance, why not go to a floorstander? The Silverline Sonatina would be a great choice, or the Sonata if you can find one in your price range. You will loose a bit in the imaging department going from monitors to floorstanders, but you will gain quite a bit in terms of low-end over going to the 17's in my experience. One footnote - do be careful in purchasing used speakers that the seller has a good reputation and either original or professional packing, and with shipping insurance mandatory. Better to buy local whenever possible. The downside of the older Silverline models is that some of them no longer have drivers available should one become damaged :-( Still, I would consider a floorstander for what you are asking for in improvements in the low end (which do necessarily come with a high price tag to get that really great - but used you might be able to find something very good). Certainly an SR17(.5) would be a step up as well, I just don't know how big a step up in terms of perceived differences.