Any new up & coming high end speaker lines?


At some point in the somewhat near future, (within a year or two), I am hoping to upgrade from my Revel Studios, toward what will probably be my final set of speakers. (I like the Studios, and I consider them to be a very good all around speaker, and a good "bang for the buck" speaker. However, I realize that while they are "very good" at everything, they are not truly "great" at anything.

I have determined which speakers are, what I would consider, a true upgrade from the Studios, and what I like is pretty damn expensive. Speakers such as the Rockport Antares, the Sonus Faber Stradivari, the Avalon Isis, and the Kharma Midi Exquisite; all of which are really expensive. Even used, most of these speakers are in the $25+K range, which is beyond my financial means now, and in the foreseeable future. I am looking for a speaker that is highly refined, and pretty much full range (without being boomy).

So, my question is: Are there any "up and coming" speaker lines that can be bought used for $15K used, (maybe up to $20K if I really stretch it), which would be a big step up from the Revel Studios? (The new price on speakers would therefore be between $30-40K, as used prices tend to be about 50% retail.)

FYI, speakers I am NOT really interested in are:

Big Speakers, such as large Planers, such as the Quads or the Sound Labs, (as my wife would not be happy with such a large speaker, especially after she finally managed to get me to upgrade from the Martin Logan Sequel IIs, (a six foot tall speaker, that she really never liked, but put up with because I had them when we got married). Or, really tall dynamic speakers, such as the Dali Megalines, or the Dynaudio Temptations. Again, way too tall to get the WAF.

Speakers that require a subwoofer (or have a separate subwoofer box). I don't like trying to integrate subwoofers into a 2 channel system. (Having a subwoofer in a HT system is okay, but then again, I don't listen to music on that system, just the special effects.) I don't have room in my living room for more than two main speakers.

Wilson Speakers, or speakers that are like Wilson Speakers. (No offense to Wilson owners, but I have determined that is not the direction I wish to go in. The Revel Studios are similar enough to the Wilson line, that I wish to try something else.) Plus, I am not a fan of the Wilson Aesthetics, as I consider them to be a bit to robotic looking, (which is too bad, as that would probably make things easy, as I could go with a W/P 8!).

And, just so you know what I have in the way of electronics:

I use an Ayre K-1xe preamp, (with phono boards), and the Lamm M2.1 (200 wpc) monoblocks. Both of which I will probably hang onto for a very long time, (i.e. I consider both of those to be, probably, the last preamp and amps that I will own).

Sources include a Basis 2001 TT, with a Vector M3 tonearm,
and a Dynavector XV-1S cartridge, and a Resolution Audio Opus 21 cdp. Except for the turntable, I will probably keep those for a long time too, - the 2001 TT will probably be upgraded to a 2500 (or a 2800), at some point, when I get the funds.)

Cabling includes a balanced Nordost Quattro Fil between the preamp and amp, and a pair of Audience AU24 speaker cables (a pair, as I bi-wire the Studios currently). I am not married to this cabling, but I find these to be good value cables.

My room is 16' x 24' (with 8 foot ceilings), and I have the speakers on the long wall. (The speakers are pulled into the room a couple of feet). And I have a bay window behind my listening position, with blackout blinds. I have no problems with my room acoustics. (Well, none that I have care to worry about at this time anyway!) :-)

At this point, my choice would be the Avalon Eidolon Diamonds, which used fall (almost) into my budget. And while they fulfill most of my requirements, they are not truly a full range speaker.

Okay, so let fly with the suggestions!
(And thanks in advance!)
kurt_tank
I own Verity Parsifal Encores (previous generation of the Parsifal) and they are wonderful. I also own SF Cremonas and Merlin VSMs which are, respectively, a bit warmer and a beat leaner than the Verities. All are manageable size, good looking (great in the case of the Cremona), full range (to below 30hz in my room), and fit your budget. Depending on preference for tonal balance and looks, any of the three may do the trick.

One more thought is the Salk HT-3, a DEQX based speaker that is reasonable in size and housed in beautiful cabinetry. However, while the DEQX will offer great in room bass and optimized x-overs, it will require ADC for your phono source, as well as tri-amping. I thought it worth mentioning, nonetheless.

Good Luck,

Marty
In my humble and limited experience one hits the point of diminishing returns somewhere between $5K and $10K. Therefore, even if I could spend much more, I'd probably get a speaker from this range - and spend any savings on flying around the world and attending live concerts. :)
I completely disagree with Semi. The BE-20 is one of the most overpriced and overrated speakers on the market.

The BE mid-range and tweeter are etchy, grainy, and do not integrate well with the low range driver.

There are dozens of speakers under $20K clearly superior in sonics and build quality.
Not to start a war with Audiofeil. I always suggest everyone to trust his/her own ears, there are tons of great reviews on Usher BE-10/20 and I am a believer after hearing them a few times, your Rockport Antares friend can tell you what I have owned in the past (over 30 pairs and keeps on growing). Usher is super detail, produces the most realistic leading edge attack, and the micro dynamic is second to none. It might not be everyone's cup of tea; Audiofeil for one does not like them.

There is a dealer in Campbell that has them on display, go hear them.