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
The Italian company Opera (a favorite of Sam Telig) makes some very nice (and gorgeous looking) speakers. I own the Quinta, which is not in the range that you are looking at, but is beautiful sounding and very well made. They make a couple of upper range models: the Tebaldi and the Caruso. Their website is www.operaloudspeakers.com.
Kurt tank,

I started following the USHER speakers every since I heard them at the Stereophile Show in SF a few years back. That was probably the best demo they've ever had. I've not been impressed with any of their setups since then(Hi-Fi Tapei, Stereophile L.A., RMAF) I was even disappointed when I heard them at their flagstore in Taipei.

But I recently heard them at the Audible Art when BAAS (Bay Area Audiophile Society) organized an event at the location a few weeks ago. They had all VTL equipment and an VPI HRX/Airtight PC-1 driving the BE-20. I was really impressed. A friend of mine who had auditioned the BE lines extensively when he was in Taiwan said that this setup was the best he's heard. He had previously audition the BE-10 at the same store before as well and told me it was not worth going there.

But these have large foot prints, I think they are even too big for the listening room of our mutual friend who owns the Antares.

As for Verity speakers. The bass unit can be turned to fire forward. I had the same concern, but Verity told me to set them up facing backward first. At first, the bass was bloomy, but I was able to solve the issue w/ some home-built room lens. You'll see when you come by. Mine are about 3 feet away from the backwall.

FrankC
The Pure System is a great speaker but the competition at $28K is formidable.
Gundam91 - re your Verity speakers, would you say a bit more about your home built room lens (what exactly?) and its placement. Thanks in advance.

Tim