Best speakers for about $2000 a pair

Used Revel F 30 , sometimes as low as $1500 around here which is a great deal. Well extended Bass that can shake the rafters, midrange fantastic, better highs than the Vandersteens IMO. They can really fill up a room with a wide soundstage and can play fairly loud with little distortion.

Used Tyler Taylo 7U.
It would be under $1500 if you can find one.

Id buy the Ascent i's

Easily the Fritz Carbon 7's.

Do yourself a favor and at least give him a call.

I recently picked his $1700 Carbon 7's over the Totem Forest, Proac Response 1.5, B&W Nautilus 805, Usher X719, and a few other speakers.

They are THAT good.

If your room is not larger than 1600 cubic feet, I would recommend trying Ohm Walsh 1000s. They are not too bright (if anything, maybe a tad rolled off up top) based on my experience with the similar Ohm Walsh 2000. They come with a 4-month home trial, so you only lose the shipping if they don't float your boat. Ohm also provides excellent customer service, IME.