Speaker recommendations 10 to 30k and no beryllium

It is not clear whether you are doing a wide-ranging search from scratch, or whether you have narrowed your interest to a certain type of speaker or type of sound.  Are there other none sonic requirements, such as those dictated by limited options on placement of the speaker, no top heavy models that might be a danger to children, size of speaker, etc.  Also, success with certain speakers require particular types of amplifiers, so it would help to know what you have and whether or not changing amps is a possibility.

The following list offers a wide array of speaker types and sound, but, I like them even though few of them actually fit my ideal:

Panel speakers:

Magneplanars--any model in your price range and tolerance for size will deliver room-filling, realistically scaled soundscape.

Sanders Sound (electrostatic/dynamic hybrids that deliver a lot of dynamic punch.

Soundlab-great electrostatic speakers, but they are huge in size.


Conventional Dynamic speakers

Any Audio Note model in your price range.  If it is desirable to have the speakers in the corners, Audio Note speakers are designed for that placement.  They are in the very warm and musical sounding camp, not the lean and "detailed" sounding camp, but, unlike some other warm speakers, they don't sound sluggish.  

DeVore Orangutans -- in the warm and mellow camp.

YG Acoustic Carmel-- very much NOT in the warm and mellow camp, but, with the right electronics, they deliver the goods--very good with instrumental timbre.

Vandersteen Quattro -- kind of a Goldilocks speaker -- not too lean and analytical, not too warm.

SoundKaos 42 -- a two-way speaker that utilizes a full/extended range driver with a ribbon tweeter on top. A very musical sounding system.


Unconventional Speakers:

Charney Audio -- Shockingly good for the money single driver speakers.  This is the only implementation of a single driver that I thought did not have problem areas that made them ultimately unacceptable even though the dynamics and liveliness of this type of speaker is incredibly appealing.  They don't deliver really deep bass, but, everything else is done quite well.  The sound depends on the choice of driver--I personally like the AER driver.

Custom Design:

Deja Vu Audio -- Deja Vu Audio is a Washington DC area audio dealer that also makes its own electronics (all tube) and speakers.  $30 k is at the bottom of the custom-built range, but even the bottom is really quite good.  Most speakers are made utilizing vintage drivers, typically a large dynamic woofer, a compression/horn midrange, and dome tweeters.  

+1 for Audio Physic... Where are you located?

A lot of good suggestions.  Not knowing your musical and listening preferences or your associated equipment, I'd suggest Vandersteens as a general suggestion (Quattros or perhaps even a used Model 5A), and one no one has mentioned are Nola speakers--their Metro Gold References should work well in your room, especially good with tube amplification.  But they have ribbon tweeters, not sure if you want the kids poking their fingers around those.

Go to your dealer and get a pair of Maggies. Take them home and listen to them (your dealer will set them up for you.)

If your gear is not top notch, you will probably not like what you hear on the Maggies. This is the sound of the GEAR, not the speakers.

If you don’t care for them, it really does not matter what speaker you buy. It will be a box or electrostat and distort and cause listening fatigue.
You may also find that most all "better" speakers today are about 6' high.  Wonder where they got that idea???

Remember that your room is the most important part of your system, so work with your dealer to make sure it is at optimum listening quality.

Most of all, enjoy the MUSIC. That is what this is all about.

Cheers!

Definitely check out the Revel Ultima Salon-2.

They do everything perfectly.

I've been an audiophile for 50 years.