New Speakers up to $15k - The more I read the less I know!

I would be surprised if Atma-Sphere and Magnepan couldn't offer an audition, but the recommendation of Audio Perfection by mr_m would be a good route.

B

John will take GREAT care of you. Yes, he can let you audition a varying array of speakers.  As Bob said I do own teh Quatro CT's and sold him my Treo's, but as he will tell you, I made him listen to them in my system first, lol....

There are a ton of gimmicky speakers on the market (IMHO).  I have heard so many different speakers from the one driver fits all mode (can never have a full range speaker sound as good as a speaker that has separated drivers that cover all ends of the spectrum.  

Crossoverless sounds great, but it just doesn't (law of physics) have the extension and then you lose the fun of rock or orchestra etc...  Using a great crossover with the best parts, will give you a crossover that most will never hear in their system.  There is a reason that 99% of speaker manufacture's use two or more drivers in their speakers.  YMMV.

I'm only a Vandersteen owner because they make the best speaker to my ears in the 25k and under speaker market.  We all love our speakers or we would never have paid for them, lol. ;)....  I do know that the majority of folks never actually audition more than three different makers of speakers when purchasing.  All too many just read about 'cool and new' stuff that is 'reviewed' and go with the flavor of the month. 

I've been in audio all too long to get caught up wiht flavor of the month. I listen to a lot of live music when I can and I want my system to recreate as much of that tonality and extension (without fatigue) in MY room.  I feel blessed to be able to afford a 25k speaker and that's why I went with the Quatro CT's.  I have enjoyed Maggies and others, but in the end, the Steen's haven't been knocked off the pedestal yet.  When they are, then I'll gladly switch, but these proprietary carbon tweeters are not just giving me gobs of micro and macro detail (where the emotion is), but also crazy dynamics when it's on the track and so much extension without any fatigue.

Also, please don't get swayed by someone claiming that speakers are genre sensitive as TOOO MANY do now days.  To me, that's a fallacy that is perpetuated by companies who's speakers are majorly lacking. 

A properly designed speaker will play everything great or everything poorly, lol....  Just ask any top designer and they will agree.  I have spoken to a few about this adn that's the only reason I make this statement.  

I would look at Totem and usher. I have had both and just moved up to the usher x-towers for a little less than $15k. The usher be-10 and be-20’s are also excellent sounding speakers.

DeVore Fidelity speakers are absolutely phenomenal.  Very happy with the pair I bought about 5 months ago after lots of searching.......

As no one has yet suggested auditioning open baffle speakers , two brands worth considering are : Spatial Audio and Pure Audio Project . I'm more satisfied with my Spatials than any speaker I've yet heard in my 50+ years as an audiophile . OB has clarity like a panel speaker but with impact and bass of dynamic drivers . No boxes for me !
 Emerald Physics is another brand, but many of theirs require DSP units and multi-amping , so not as simple .
  Spatial has a trial period and return policy . Unsure of others .
Network with friends and audition with the same tracks of 2 or 3 CD's on every one .
   
Joe