Advice on a speaker purchase


Hi, I would like some suggestions on an upgrade I'd like to make from my current speakers. My budget s $2k, new or used. I presently listen to a six-year old pair of vandersteen 1c's. Up front are a Sim Audio I-5 integrated and a Sim Nova cd player. I do not want to change anything but the speakers. The room size is 27' x 14' x 8' high, but the listening area is 14' x 14.' I generally listen at medium volumes (nothing higher than 85db), and like rock, acoustic rock, ambient, and acid jazz. While most of my listening is rock (alt, indie, classic) and trippy ambient music and acoustic rock, my volumes do not have to shake the room or have thundering bass. I rock out with my headphones.

I like the sound I currently have, but am interested in changing flavors to something a little more perky and upbeat, perhaps something a little less relaxed as the vandy's. However, I am not interested in a horn set-up nor do I require a radical change. I just want to move it over a notch or 2 on the continuum of sonic flavor. I have limited space for a speaker larger than the 1c, and would like to actually get something smaller, but am concerned about my room size (for example, is the room size the correct metric here or is it my listening area?). I have demo'd the Totem hawks and like them mucho, but (again) have room size concerns. Do I need to have these room size concerns? (I cannot demo at home, not in NYC). I have also demo'd the Gallo nucleus reference, but was not impressed with the change in sound when I was not sitting in the sweet spot (and I won't always be glued to that spot when I'm playing music). My research has also led to some other contenders that I have not heard yet, Von Schweikert VR2, Quad 22L, and Audio Physic Yara. I will only be able to have the speakers 18" from the back wall, and a massive entertainment center sits in the middle of my speakers, which are 7 feet apart. The speakers would be a half-foot away from one side of that entertainment center. None of the room constraints can change. The Quad 22L would surely have high WAF; they are gorgeous.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks, walkman
walkman
Very true Walkman...they will sound a bit boomy that close to wall. But absolutely no complains in the midrange if that close to wall - atleast for me. Now after 7 months of placement position adjustment, I have got them to sound very similar to headphones - but with the presence, imaging and soundstage. So you see, getting speakers is not a problem - but finding the ideal location is very very time consuming. But the result is sonic bliss.
You need to audition the AP Yaras then - they are bottom ported. Imaging is also very nice.
Thanks milpai. Funny to me that you make a headphone analogy. I'm a big user of headphones both at home and portably.

AP Yara...Yes, I have read that their bottom portedness makes them location flexible...They are definitely worth a listen. Strong user comments from the (limited number of) persons who have them/heard them. thx, - walk
Hi philnyc, well, one dealer said "no," when I asked to demo at home, so that's probably why. I have not asked any other dealers yet. I imagine that you are also in nyc with your moniker, and maybe you know of the places that do allow you to demo at home. Please let me know of these. However, in living stereo, for example, does not.

thx, - walkman
No, I have not heard the Forest with your Sim gear. Here's what I would do... I like the Forest so much, that not much else comes close for what they offer for the price (IMHO). You would be well served to buy the Forest now and upgrade your amp when you are better able. If you do not require high listening levels, you're in!