Need advice on loudspeakers Southern California


Hi guys I am new to the high end home audio scene and I wanted to get some advice from some experienced audiophiles. I use to be into high end cars, but my wife just had our 3rd child 3 months ago, now I feel it's time for me to throw in the towel and spend most of my time at home now, and take on a new hobby that I can enjoy at home. One of my good friends owns the Wilson Watt Puppy and I think they sound great, but he told me there are other options available. Now I am familiar with high end sound for the car, but totally new to home audio. Any advice or experiences on speakers 50-100k would be great. I have a pretty big home theater room that the speakers will be going in so size isn't really a big issue, I just need some good info, in the mean time I'll be searching this whole forum to absorb all the information I can. Thanks in advance!
bruce74
If you're spending that amount of money, I advise you to go to as many dealers and friends homes as possible and experience the wide variety of sounds that people consider high end.

Another possibility are one or more high end audio shows that occur during the year. Just one of those and you'll see and hear tens of dozens of pieces of equipment that will never be found at just one dealer.

Coming up in April.
Stereophile is partnering with the Festival Son & Image, to be held in Montreal, Canada, Thursday April 3 through Sunday, April 6. (The first day is for trade and press only.)

In October, there's The Denver AudioFest.
http://audiofest.net/2008/index.php

There are at least six high end shows in Europe and Asia (if you travel) and the big USA show (CES) in Vegas in January.

Your comments indicate you're spending a lot of money. Wouldn't it would be great if every time you sat down and listened, you were overjoyed?

If your listening leads to questions or complaints (posted here), then at least we would have a clue what you like and don't like. With that, many of us at Audiogon would be able to offer advice.
Bruce, think about the system as a whole. Synergy between your speakers, amps, and CD/TT/cables,etc is the key.
Thre must be some good HiFi stores in S Cal. that can demo some top quality systems, also, there are probably audio clubs in your area where you can hear others' systems and opinions, sood good some not! Trust your ears. Listen to your music when demoing stuff. Everyone has their favorites, and different ears. When you connect emotionally with the music, and it draws you in, you are probably getting an idea what you like, dislike, and why.
Have fun, with a buget like that, you could travel to hear exotic stuff not easily found, audio shows too can be helpful for the same reasons and also to make new connections.
Don't forget live performances, imagine the concerts you could travel to. MUSIC IS the reference!
Alan