Wow, so I come on here to read another 'which speaker to buy' thread and see what folks are listening to. What a surprise, it has turned into another exhaustive Audio Troy is the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz promotional commercial. Highly informative. He does have a ton of gear in his home that he sells, but no dedicated rooms so there is that. I love Vandy's and they continually win best in show awards, but you still can't judge most gear at a show. Too many strange things going on there, including listening in a theater setting etc... It is what it is. Nice to go listen, but to make a lasting decision no that shows inexperience in listening and most knowledgeable folks would agree.
You have been given some great choices by many to listen to. The key though is getting to audition somehow. We are all jaded by what we own and listen to daily. If we spend money on a piece of gear, we normally will come on here to tell yo about it. I know many of us have owned or do own the Vandy Treo's and love them for their timber, dynamics etc..., but I disagree with some points in this thread.
This happens all the time in audio and I personally feel is a fallacy. If a speaker is designed properly, it will play ALL music and not just rock or small jazz or orchestral etc... If your speakers are only good on a few types of music folks, ..... you have THE WRONG SPEAKERS.
We all like different things and I get that, but I promise you that my speakers play everyone well in MY room for MY ears (as well as all the others I invite over to listen). Many of you (I wish it was all) feel the same about your speakers. This is why I won't go with a speaker that isn't full range and I HATE speakers that are tipped up in the high end or overly ripe in the bass. I was a drummer and I hate bloated upper bass down, especially if it bleeds into the mids.
No, I'm not making a recommendation, just pointing out that any speaker you get in the 8k range or so had better play all types of music properly to your ears as you have too many choices. I auditioned so many speakers before deciding on my Treo's and then upgraded to Quatro's, but not before auditioning even more speakers in the upper ranges down to the 5k range to make sure I was getting what I wanted for my well earned money. i'ms sure you will do the same and will look for YOUR posts in-between the dealer ads. Have fun with this and get out to audition. Many folks will let you come to their houses to listen to gear. I've been to many folks houses to audition as well as folks who sell out of their homes and that even includes Dave's house after he kept telling me that teh speakers I didn't like in a few stores, I'd like at his. (they still weren't good for me as they sounded the exact same as in other stores). Good luck.