New Speakers for $2000

Useful to know speaker placements constraints and rm size, but I'd definitely consider:

Selah Verita
Fritz Carbon 7s

The Selah's a bit over your price range (I think there's been an increase), Carbon's a bit under. Both Rick and Fritz very worth chatting with.

The Vapors I've heard also sound very good.

John

Revel F50 was first thing that came to mind, and they're available here in your price range. Not sure if your room is big enough for them or if the Cambridge would be a good match, but probably possesses most if not all the qualities you're looking for. A couple other ideas in your price range might be Merlin TSM or Joseph Audio RM22XL (although these may bottom out if cranked with heavy bass). Best of luck.

Ninjasquirt, you're right about the ElectroMotion speakers. I confess to never having been all that impressed with Martin-Logan for some time, however. But every now and again I pop in, hoping to see what the buzz is.

I was in your boat a few months ago, settled on NOLA Boxers and haven't looked back. They have every attribute that you crave. Like you, I listen to everything from classical and rap to black metal. It's hard to find an audiophile quality speaker that lets it rip as hard on metal as it does on classical. For me, the Boxers are that speaker.

Some of the biggest things for me are the way they disappear. Huge soundstage with pinpoint imaging, to boot. They have some bass, enough to satisfy me since as we know, most music doesn't contain a ton of low bass content anyhow, even hip-hop.

I'd try to give them a listen, along with others that people here have suggested. I'm responding because you mentioned the M-L mids being too lazy for metal. That won't be a problem with the Boxers.

Good luck in the quest.

I would suggest a home audition of Ohm Walsh 1000s. Ohm offers a 120-day in-home trial period. You are at risk for the shipping charges only. Provided your room is not too large for them (there is a guide on the Ohm web site), they should deliver on your checklist.

Check out the Kef Q 700,Q 900 and XQ 20 speakers.All excel in imaging,soundstage and detail.