Speaker help - short list needed

Vienna Acoustics-Mozart

Depending on how much bass you are looking for, then you've already said it...Sonus Fabers are wonderful and for 1500, you can buy a lot of SF these days...particularly if you go back 2 generations to the Electa Amators/Extrema generation.

Maggies are very good for the money, as long as you have space and a good, high current amp

Depending on volume, you (might?) be able to look at an older Quad 988? no doubt you can check here.

For even less than SF, if you can find Celestion SL700 or SL600si, they are great speakers. Set up right (very hard to do), they image beautifully, have an incredibly beautiful voicing, and have surprisingly deep bass (but only when set up right on the bass part).

If you want a more disciplined sound that is still quite warm tonally, try PMC (professional monitor company). Or Totem Acoustics.

All for now...if i think of others, i'll post. Good luck and enjoy! pls keep us posted.

Merlin monitors. However, you've given no clues as to electronics, etc. Merlins are not bright unless your electronics are. The Vienna Acoustics-Mozart are very nice sounding and forgiving, they will not image or provide the micro-acoustics that the Merlins will.

Some basic information such as what you will power them with, whether you prefer floor standers or monitors, and what types of music you enjoy may help posters zero in on your best options.