Sound Stage and Imaging

@kraftwerkturbo One more idea: Celestions are famous for their imaging. Under a $500 for a SL 6. Add 2 midrange subs and still under budget?

if your budget is 2K, you may get used up to 4K or more

CSS seems like an awful good deal to me too. If I hadn't bought my Dynaudios, I would sure would try CSS today and save $$$

I think you should just stick to headphones.

that sounded harsh

@kraftwerkturbo I would probably go for the 2TD-X - still inexpensive compared to "finished" speakers

@kraftwerkturbo 

I have no idea at that roomy size. I have experience with smaller rooms and a lot of speakers but that's a big space to fill. You are right, they would be too small. My guess is you need to move a lot of air, maybe used horns at that price range? 

@mijostyn I misunderstood then.

To be fair, you could tell me I should stick to baking. (I think I can bake)

I have an infinitely small knowledge of all things audio yet I am still here and comment on things, when I feel I have something to contribute. But I am probably a moron 9 out of 10 times. There were no exam to pass to enter this forum :)

@kraftwerkturbo I know nothing about Thiels other than that they don't exist anymore. I have a friend who knows 20 times more about audio than I do and loves them, but that's anecdotal.

And the Celestion was a wild idea, I own the 5s and love them and heard the SL6s and they please me like very few speakers do, it's very personal, may not work for you

re "what about"

they are all good value, safe choices. I have never heard Dali but the others (some models of KEF, B&W and SF) - however, none of them get me excited. From your budget you could get a used Dynaudio Contour 20s or Harbeths or MoFi speakers. What is your approach to narrow down your search?

I missed where you live but Gene Rubin lets potential buyers audition Harbeths in the LA area,