"Best" speakers new/used under $3,000?

Sorry to sound like a broken record but "Best" is in the eye/ear of the beholder. There is no definitive "best" anything, it's all subjective. When you ask a question like this, the answers will always be what folks think is "best" to them in their system.Their suggestions may or may not be "best" for you.

Hyperion HPS-938 I bought 6 month old demo for $3000
I'm not sure how stable this company is, but speakers are amazing. They build them in California getting parts from Taiwan. Avoid very early units since just after they started making them in 2004 they improved bracing. Sometimes they have less popular bamboo cabinet versions new for 1/2 price. Check their website www.hyperionsound.com Not too many dealers - I bought mine from "Quest for Sound" in Pennsylvania (Steve Monte).

http://www.realhi-fi.com/pdf/hear_the_hype_low_res.pdf

http://www.hyperionsound.com/Images/HPS-938%20review.pdf

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1104/hyperionhps983.htm

http://www.realhi-fi.com/pdf/hfcreview2.pdf

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/hyperion/938.html

Maggie 1.7's
The Hyperion's are very nice but my friend had problems with his and there is no support from Hyperion. They are basically out of business

Ditto on the Merlins. It is a speaker than ended my auditions and much of the curiosity to hear other speaker systems. I previously owned Magnepan 1.6. My friends run everything from Vandersteen 5a to Maggie 3.6 and we all enjoy the Merlins. I currently have TSM-MXr and may get a used set of VSMs (or possibly new) for a 2nd system.

Rob

OHM Walsh speakers can do it all with any kind of music and might end your search for good.

Can be had new or used for that price or significantly less even.

For larger rooms, you need larger models, otherwise smaller models used for $1000 or perhaps even less should do fine