Speaker Recommendations for Soundstage and Imaging


I'm putting together a new system where a large soundstage and holographic imaging are the top two priorities. I'm willing to give up something in other areas (detail, neutrality, dynamics, low bass, etc) to maximize those two properties. My budget for the speakers in this system is $2,000. My understanding is that, generally speaking, large floorstanders more readily offer large soundstages and small mini-monitors more readily offer that precise, holographic imaging. So I realize I'm after two competing but hopefully not mutually exclusive traits in that price range. Now if that wasn't demanding enough, I'd also prefer the compact floorstanding form factor. I'm willing to go standmount monitor but not willing to add a sub. Large floorstanders are out of the question. I'd love to hear the recommendations of the A'gon community. Thanks.
insomniac99
As you can see, there is a box for everyone. I would suggest you venture outside the box and get the Magnepan 1.6 speakers. Once you live with Maggies there is no going back to box world:O)
I just bought a used pair of JM Reynaud Offrande speakers form a (great) guy here on A'gon. The Offrandes are stand mounted speakers and are very sweet and detailed without being analytical. But more importantly, they image better than any other speaker I have ever heard - very wide and very rearward. They do not provide the absolute best holographic imaging, but I have never heard a better "ive" soundstage presentation in my listenting room.

All of the JMR speakers I have heard share this characteristic, but none so well as the (original) Offrande IMHO.
I would second Martykl and suggest you give the Ohm line a serious look. The pseudo-omni design of the CLS driver throws a huge, enveloping soundstage unique to omnis. And for $1700 plus shipping, you can pick up a pair of new Ohm Walsh 100 series 3's, factory direct with a 120-day in home audition. If you don't like them, you're only out the cost of shipping. I love mine!