Meadowlark Ospreys.. fighting under their weight class?

Trust your ears!

I had a pair of speakers for 30 years - why? because I could not find anything remotely close to their price range that could compete with their sound.

Over the years I had them re-foamed and the crossovers rebuilt - which made them even better.

I finally replaced them a couple of years ago simply because I heard a speaker that sounded significantly better - but they were 4 times the price.

So if you like the sound of your Ospreys and they work well with your other components - keep em!

But it sounds as though you have heard something better - trouble is -  do you really need to scratch that $15k itch?

Also - was it the speaker that sound so good or the rest of the system ?

When i bought my speakers I took the amp and the cables to the store and auditioned what would become my system - why not take your speakers to the dealer and do  side by side?

For $15k you could probably get them to do an in home demo 

Just a thought

Good luck :-)

You have great electronics so the chances are whatever speakers impressed you at the show will sound even better in your own home. At least that's been my experience, albeit limited, when I heard speakers at shows in those dinky room setups.

At CES you listened to complete systems, not just speakers. Its just something to keep in mind. Your current speakers are still very good. The one recommendation I would make is once you get used to time and phase correct speakers, its difficult to listen to other designs. Since you heard and like Vandersteen, I think that would be your best option. Your current speakers are very laid back. Vandersteen's are more lively without going too far.

GTS1 - if you gotta scratch that itch...

One speaker that springs to mind and in your budget, that would work very nicely with your gear - is the Tannoy Prestige line. 

They can be a little difficult to source, but coupled with tube gear, will   provide a smooth and effortless life-like reproduction.

Don't let the looks fool you - they do look a little "old fashioned" but for years Tannoy has employed advacned features, like cabinet bracing, that other brands are now advertising as "advanced".

A friend of mine in audio sales has told me that most people that buy Tannoy seldom replace them. 

Something to think on

 

+ 1 for Tannoy , you have system made in heaven for them .