Full circle and thinking about speakers


This all started a couple of months ago by buying a pair of old B&W DM305 speakers and i'm completely new to all of this..
Then a  Rogue Cronus, Nottingham TT w/ a Lyra Cart. Waiting for an EAR phono stage to arrive Monday.
On the digital side - a Pro-ject streamer and Schitt DAC (place holder but it all sounds very decent).
So now I'm back to the speakers, cables and interconnects. I would like something at a level with the other gear - not that the B&W's are bad, they just aren't great.
What I like about the B&W's: clear detailed and focused.
What I don't like: At times the highs are glaringly high and when I expect there to be gobs of bass, there just isn't any to speak of. Jazz trios and quartets sound pretty awesome.  Rock not as good.
Condo life, which means my listening level is on the low side. Wall moving bass is probably not what I am looking for.
Listening space: The room is 14' x 25' and I haven't settled on which direction to arrange speakers. Currently they are projecting across the 14' width. That may very well change.
Any recommendations of where to start the search are highly welcomed. Speaker types, specs etc...as I know very little.
Let's say under 2K and used is fine if it gets me to a higher level.
Thanks  all
smaarch1
@smaarch1....Since you mentioned the thought....

Try the short 14' wall first....all it requires is the time and effort.
A small sub might do the trick in the meanwhile while you consider your next move, gear or locale-wise.  A small unit ought to keep the neighbors at bay but allow you to make the B&Ws' livable yet....

Go take you ears on a tour for the next speaker pair if you opt to stay condo'd....Another space opens a whole new can of acoustics to fend with...and a whole new set of bills with new numbers to pay....and pay...and etc. ;)

And then there's the gear for a new space, which starts the whole thing all over again....don't let enthusiasm cause crazie...*G*

".... when you hear the full capabilities of the Bose Wave Radio."
Oh, come on, MC....no need to get rude...jez....:(


"...Maggies do a lot of things right. But anybody who says they do dynamics has never really heard a speaker that truly does do dynamics well..."

I generally agree but he did say he had 20s. With some big amps, those panels can pound pretty well. The panel is large enough to push decent air.    
@russ69 I guess our definition of dynamics is somewhat different. Playing loud and pressurizing the room isn’t all of it. I’ve heard lots of speakers, including Maggies, do that. I’m talking about whip crack transients like snare drums and trombone blasts that can startle. Effortless sound that isn’t even trying hard.
And I’m sure you’re right, the 20s with big power will probably do most of that. I don’t think those are in the OPs budget. I was talking about magnepans that common everyday folk would be listening to, lol.

Oz
I've been in this hobby for a few years and here's a few things I've learned that may help you.

- You can only get so far asking people for speaker (audio) recommendations, even if you state your listening preferences. Only you will know what you will like. That said it's still not a bad idea and may help you make up a short list of speakers to audition.

- Never purchase speakers that your have not personally auditioned. Preferably with your own electronics and choice of music. 

- Find a good dealer or two in your area. Listen to as many speakers in your price range as you can and ask a lot of questions. 

- Home audition is better that in-store. Your room plays such a big part of how your speakers will sound. 

- Set aside some of your audio budget for room treatments. GIK is a good place to start. 

- Your may not get it right on your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd pair of speakers. Accept this as part of the learning process. 

- Your money will stretch a lot further on the used market.

- Ignore the tweakers. You don't need fancy power, speaker, or interconnects to start. Buy modest cables to start and they'll work fine. Ex. BlueJeans cables

With all of that said....I will throw out a speaker recommendation for you to put on your list. The Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary for $1200/ $1500 with stands. Very impressed with this speaker and am considering picking up a pair myself. 

Enjoy the journey and the music!
@howaboutthat41 ,I have Fritz Carreras and got them to do -3db af 24 hz and 0db at 28hz.  The room was 11x13x8.  I ended up with a placement that gave me 0db around 32hz though.  That placement yielded the best imaging and soundstage.

@larry, larger cabinets, i.e. floorstanding vs smaller cabinets, i.e. standmounts, will usually produce more bass simply because of the larger box size.  Some speakers that I’ve had disguised themselves as floorstanding speakers but they were essentially standmount size in a larger cabinet with the whole lower portion of the cabinet being sealed off from the top portion.


@ the OP, $2000 isplenty to get something nice second hand or even new.  Just start researching speakers.  Your amp should play well with just about anything!