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Looking for Speakers circa 2K

After almost 20 satisfying years with some stand-mounted Paradigm Studio 40 v2s, I want to see if I can make a significant speaker upgrade without spending a ton of money.  I am running a McIntosh C41 preamp, MC202 Amp and all my digital inputs go through a Chord Qutest DAC.  I also use a decent ML sub.  My living room is pretty small 13' x 19'.  Speakers are 10 ft apart and the listening chair is about 13' from my two-channel system.
I am thinking of monitors on stands again, although I would consider small towers.  I really prize soundstage, clarity and dynamics.  I listen to a lot of dense percussion and acoustic music - Afro-Cuban folkloric music, Americana, jazz...

There are no real hifi stores here (Spokane WA) so I am hoping you can lead me in the right direction.  Thanks in advance, David.
decal
revrob
105 posts
 
Brand new and below your budget at $1200. Originally retail $4k. I have the Canton tower speakers. Highly musical. You can buy their stands and you will have a great system.

The other speaker is the Salk BMR Monitors at $2.4. Salk makes a great speaker especially if you like ribbon tweeters. 

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantventoref92dcblka/canton-vento-reference-9.2-d...

http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=BMR+Monitors
luisma31
516 posts
 
Hi, I am Cuban myself, if you listen to Cuban folk, jazz, americana etc (irakere maybe 😉) midbass is important, I have discovered individual taste especially with speakers it is, well, very individual, try to find a close audio show near your area so you could listen to different speakers etc and have an idea what you like with your regular tracks / programme, I have learned a lot from this site but what I value in sound reproduction, speaker wise sometimes it is completely opposite of what most (reputable) people value.

The show will give you some guidance and it is fun and instructive too

Just my 2 cents


tablejockey
3,889 posts
 
If I were looking in your price range, I would have these on my list.
https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/ELAC-Adante-AS-61-Bookshelf-Speakers. With the stands, seems like a nice deal.

The open box deal is particularly appealing. These were the flavor of the month, not long ago. Now, dealers are dumping them!. Perfect time to grab a pair. I'm thinking a pair of the floorstanders for the New Year.

Speakers, in particular are a subjective,contentious topic. 
decal OP
5 posts
 
I wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions.  I'm willing to bet I'd be happy with most of these speakers.  I would love be patient enough to find an audio show or store somewhere and audition some speakers.  But I don't roll that way.  About every 20 years I get this itch to switch things up and take some chances, because I've lived most of my adult life without nearby audio stores.  I've been lucky.  I've found good gear remotely that I've wanted to keep. 

So after some discussions with @soix I purchased the Usher Dancer Mini-X speakers.  They are right on the mark.  I really appreciate his time in answering some questions. He's a good guy and really knowledgeable.

I've had the Ushers going for 24 hours or so, and they are certainly a step up from my Paradigms, with beautiful imaging and a nice airy high end.  And surprisingly a good amount of bass on the low end.  In my smallish room, I may not even need a sub. They seem to work well with any acoustic music.  Cuban music especially.  (Big fan of Los Munequitos de Matanzas.)  I'll wait a bit to see what they're like after some more hours on them.  But it looks like I'll be happy for another 20 years.  Again my thanks.
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