I am also looking for a speaker upgrade in the $35k to $60k range. The VS VR55 requires more power but I've heard the Ultra series and it duplicates the needs for me. It has the widest listening area of all of the speakers listed and recreates the recording environment exactly. They are not flat at the highs but are easy to listen to for hours. If I keep my amps, I would buy the VR9SE mkII or E5 (which I have not heard). The VS are easier to place in a room as well and get great sound.
The Magicos turn me off after auditioning a dozen+ over 18 times. No emotional attachment. The Wilsons sound large and I recommend their smaller speakers over their larger ones (I don't like their large speakers). I found the Rockports a little soft but lovely just as I do Sonus Fabers. Tidal speakers sound wonderful just like Magnapans for vocals and jazz but not rock and orchestral works when I've heard them. I suspect the Vimberg's are similar. The reviews of the Tekton indicate that they are more like giant headphones, excellent for the central listener, totally opposite the VS speakers approach (and not as sophisticated-but at an inexpensive price). I haven't heard the Joseph Pearls or Vandersteens. Some say the Evolution Acoustics are similar to VS speakers at half the price.
My listening room was custom engineered with built in bass traps and has ample mid and high acoustic treatment. My current Legacy Focus speakers improved 100% in this room compared to my previous, not shabby room. Another speaker I like at lot, easy to drive and like VS is the Lumenwhites, similar price range (3 models). I've heard Marten speakers and they are also very good but I don't know if I would want to live with them. Plus, the VS drivers are among the most durable ceramic type.
The Magicos turn me off after auditioning a dozen+ over 18 times. No emotional attachment. The Wilsons sound large and I recommend their smaller speakers over their larger ones (I don't like their large speakers). I found the Rockports a little soft but lovely just as I do Sonus Fabers. Tidal speakers sound wonderful just like Magnapans for vocals and jazz but not rock and orchestral works when I've heard them. I suspect the Vimberg's are similar. The reviews of the Tekton indicate that they are more like giant headphones, excellent for the central listener, totally opposite the VS speakers approach (and not as sophisticated-but at an inexpensive price). I haven't heard the Joseph Pearls or Vandersteens. Some say the Evolution Acoustics are similar to VS speakers at half the price.
My listening room was custom engineered with built in bass traps and has ample mid and high acoustic treatment. My current Legacy Focus speakers improved 100% in this room compared to my previous, not shabby room. Another speaker I like at lot, easy to drive and like VS is the Lumenwhites, similar price range (3 models). I've heard Marten speakers and they are also very good but I don't know if I would want to live with them. Plus, the VS drivers are among the most durable ceramic type.