Best speaker in the $5-10K range. Details below.


Thank you all in advance for your help. I am a long time member but first time poster. I have a speaker budget of ~$5k. I could stretch it if needed to 8-9 if necessary and 10 MAYBE.

My room is 16'x18' with 10' ceilings. I am currently using Usher 6311's with a JL Audio f112. I am enjoying the sound I have but would like to upgrade. Using a Metrum DAC, Dodd Battery preamp and AMB labs balanced B22 amp (30-50 wpc).

I would like to upgrade my speakers but I do not have the time or opportunity to audition speakers at hifi dealers.

Based upon reading mags, web searches, etc. I have come up with some considerations. Speakers that might fit my requirements include Legacy Classic HD, Salk HT3, VMPS RM 30, Usher Mini Dancer 2 dmd, Magnepan 3.7, and Von Schweikert 35. I am not limiting my search to these and would greatly appreciate any experience, suggestions etc. to help me out.

Musical preferences include mostly rock/classic rock. jazz, and occasionally classical. Thanks again.

Regards,
jjr
joe2687
If you can not go out I suggest looking on audiogon finding loudspeakers that are of interest. Buy them if not your cup of tea resell. It can be a cost effective way of hearing many loudspeakers in your home with your system.
Shameless plug for my Daedalus Ulysses currently listed...

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/458773

There's also another pair listed by Audiofankj with a lighter finish, but without the outrigger bases.

I'm located in Missouri and Audiofankj is in Georgia.

These rarely show up on Audiogon... very unusual if not unprecedented to have two pair listed at the same time.
I'll third Daedalus. I went to Rocky Mountain and ordered the DA-RMAs on the spot. Lou at Daedalus has a number of users around the states who are happy to Demo. Contact him and see if someone is near you. They look stunning too. At 96DB sensitivity, they are driven easily by my 20 Watt SET. The other line I liked a lot was Devore Fidelity the Gibbon 8 I think is in your price range. Personally, I listened to Coincident and did'nt like them, it may have been the demo system
If we did not give our opinions to someone who has different equipment, room,
music, and sonic preferences, what would we at AudioGon talk about all day? I
say get the Merlin VSMs, though Audiokinesis mentioned above sounded
wonderful at RMAF 2008, though equipment, music and room were different
from mine - but still....

Of course Tom is absolutely right, but there is just very little most of us can do
about it - till you have something in your room, with your gear etc. you just
can't ever really know - unfortunately. Though I find much fun in the trying.