Best speakers for my system

"Speakers are so personal!!”

Elizabeth is so right its almost trite. So, I figured, if you’re willing to to put a decision so subjective up for grabs, I’ll do a quick Audiogon search for speakers in your price range and see what jumps out. So I did; and here’s the problem: It’s not that nothing jumped out, it’s that nearly everything jumped out.

Advise: Get out there and listen. Have a ball doing it.

Phaelon, I agree with you that the OP must listen himself. I see his inquiry and the responses to it more of a direction than a blanket statement that speaker A is what he needs.

By providing us with a bit of information about his system, his tastes or objectives in sound, etc. . . I think those of us that have some experience can help get him started in a direction to achieve those goals. In a case like this, the OP (assuming that he is looking for the best feedack) would take the time to listen to a few recommendations and then come back and report what he likes or does not like about what he has auditioned. This would therefore allow for further fine tuning of recommendations. So far, there really hasn't been much of the "X speaker is what you should buy, it is the best" in terms of feedback. Most of the replies have been geared toward one or several brands that he should hear himself that the "responder" feels are both within his sound goals, budget and with a degree of (experienced) synergy with his existing equipment. This, I think, is what the OP is seeking.

But you are right, it is his ears that matter as should always be the case. Doing a search for "generic" speakers based on price range should never provide any level of experienced opinions. Much more than price range needs to be considered - synergy, sound goals, space, etc. . . A Buget is only a starting point in the sense that it can automatically rule out a specific percentage of speakers (in this case, nothing more).

I agree with you Ckoffend. If my post seemed terse, it’s because I also agree with Tom6897. Do you have any idea how many quality speakers fit the OP’s specifications?

Everyone, once again thank you for your advice. I am going to the Atlanta show in April and will listen to everything. Most of you must be dealers or long-time audio afficianados. You certainly know far more than I do.
Ckoffend, I wanted to ask you opinion about the RealTraps. When I put them in my listening room they did improved the sound stage and eliminated an unpleasantness that I later attributed to reflections. Why do you dislike them, and what would you replace them with? Thanks again!

I like them and think you should get rid of them by sending them to me!

You are well ahead of most by recognizing that the room is just as important as any component. It is hard to make even the best speaker in the world sound good in a room with really bad acoustics.

FWIW, I am not a dealer and never have been involved in the industry, other than as a consumer. My comments about the traps was purely tongue in cheek. Your plans to attend the show is probably the best move you can make in narrowing down what you want in terms of sound and what you like in terms of product. Best of luck to you.