Looking for a Speaker in the $15,000 Range

I have audtioned the Avalon Eidolons as a friend owns a pair.

I love the setup he has. It is the best system I have ever heard actually.

That being said, your amps will NOT have enough power to drive them. He uses a SS Classe amp with 400W/ch. (In fact he upgraded from a 300W/ch Classe amp as it did not quite have enough umph, to properly drive the speakers). He also has some 100W/ch tube monoblock amps, and he loves the sound, but he can only listen to small scale music at moderate sound levels).

You might want to give the Revel Salons a shot, as they are in your price range. I have the Revel Studios and they are a great speaker, but lack the truly deep bass of the Salon. (However, the Salon also needs really powerful amps as well. My Studios are being driven with a 200W/ch Levinson, which is a good match.)

(I note of caution by the way. I don't know what size your room is and if you do not have a really large room, you might be better off with a speaker that does not have a truly deep bass response. Sometimes too much bass response causes a "boomy" sound.
My room is decently large, 16'x24' and I have pushed the limit of its bass reponse with the Studios, although, I am firing them on the short distance.)

Good Luck in your search!

1. The Vandersteen 5A will work fine and be a nice match.
2. The Wilson WP 7 will be driven by the Thor, but not to their full potential.
3. The Eidolon definitely needs more power as well.
4. Although the Parsifal's are a bit low in their efficiency rating, they will sing with the Thor amps. If between only these four, this would be my clear choice.

I would suggest that you reconsider thew Kharma 3.2 speakers. As one of the largest dealers in the world for Kharma, I assure you the bass will not be lacking except maybe on the lowest pipe organ music.

Where in NY State are you? I may be able to setup an audition for you at a customer's house. The other thing to consider is the importer, GTT Audio is 30 minutes from Manhattan in Long Valley, NJ. He has the full line available for audition and plays them all with low powered tube amplification. Make the trip and give them a listen.

I've heard all of the speakers you're considering except the Watt/Puppy 7 (I wasn't very impressed by older models, but I know a lot of people like 'em).

This is entirely subjective, but I found the Parsifals to be unsatisfying with a floppy midrange and unimpressive bass.

The Vandys are excellent if somewhat unfashionable and unspectacular (which could be a good thing) -- a down to earth good speaker.

If you can power the Avalons (heed the warnings the others have posted), that would be my choice far and away from your list -- that's the speaker I would get for myself if I could, and it can deliver the "orchestra is there" feeling you want in spades. Its bass is not overwhelming (though quite adequate). Its real strength is in imagining and clarity. You will not only be able to count all 80 musicians, but probably be able to figure out what they're wearing.

The suggestion that you check out some Revels is well taken as they have excellent bass and are pretty good throughout the rest of the range too. You might want to look for a used pair of Dunlavy SCVs. They should come in at half your budget, present no challenge to your amps, and have more than enough bass for anyone.

Good luck.

Your first item on the list would have been my suggestion: the Vandersteen Model 5A. With good electronics, the 5A's are a superb full-range speaker that are as good as many speakers costing up to $25k.

Of all the speakers you mention, I have only heard the Vandy Fives. If I was willing to part with the kind of money you are quoting, I would get a pair in a heartbeat. In Canada a pair of Fives is around $18K. That probably means that the Five As are over 20K. Too rich for me. But there you have it, in this instance, thank the Divine Providence that you live in the USA and get yourself out to your nearest dealer. The Fives are not much to look at, but boy do they sound great!