best used speaker for around 2500?

around $2750 to $3000 (depending on the "vintage"/condition) and try a pair of Merlin VSM-SE's. Great speaker, especially with tubes and your music preferences. They can also be updated to Millenium status at a reasonable cost (the Millenium version will set you back $7K plus new).

I had money to spare after buying my pair ( Hot Rod version ). Wonderfully extended, neutral and musical with a superb midrange. I have a Copland CTA-301 myself, with a Celeste W-4070SE and Ensemble Voiceflux biwire cables.

thanks for your input. A few look interesting. The Genesis, the VMPS, the Merlins, and 3A's.

I'd like to know where the used 10t's are that are $2500?
Someone had too much to drink or sumthin!

beemer (his used 10t's are worth quite a bit more than $2500)

I would also recommend the ProAc 2.5's, However, the bass can be overwhelming in rooms your size unless you have the capability to listen in the nearfield and have some absorbative furniture/acoustic treatments. Otherwise, save some money and get the ProAc 1sc's with a Sunfire sub. That's my traveling recording / monitoring system. Spectacular midrange and treble clearity and usable bass to about 40Hz. Add the sub, and you have a fantastic (and versatile) full range system for about $2300 (used).