Best speaker in the $5-10K range. Details below.

One can get lucky and by speakers unheard that work well, but the obvious (and often repeated) advice to listen remains good. If you can't shop, could you go to an audio show, such as Rocky Mountain (Oct. in CO) or AK (Spring in MI)? You can hear a lot in a day or two that way.

Although listening "out" is helpful, it's hard to determine exactly how something will work in your room with your kit (that's why the obvious advice is, IMO, not completely helpful).

Fortunately, many companies with mail order business models allow in house demo's, which is the test that matters most (the downside is, it means buying new). On your list, that includes, Salk, VSA, and maybe Legacy.

Now, to add a bit on the question you actually asked. If you go Legacy, I'd stretch for the Whisper, which *might* be had for 10k (give Bill D. a call about demos and the like), and is a lot better than the Focus -- that is, very good. To add one not on your list, the Gallo 3.5 is lovely, and can be had at your price point (Call Walter at Underwood). I much prefer it to the Salk HT2-TL (and the VSA 33), which is a looker, but runs a little hard or analytical on the highs, on my hearing. A company that is often mentioned with Salk is Selah; I prefer Selah, and would talk to Rick Craig about a the possibility of a home demo.

So I think you can do it your way, but be prepared to spend on return freight!

John

My experience has been that, unless you have a acoustically-designed room, speaker choice may well be a trial and error process to see what speaker clicks with the acoustics of your room. I've been using the Opera monitors for a few years now. I've attempted "upgrades" by purchasing more expensive speakers that I truly wanted to own, but when I put them in my room, I just couldn't get them to work. So - if you can afford the expense and time, try purchasing some different speakers used and hope they work in your room. If not, sell at not too much of a loss, if any. I highly recommend you try something from Coincident. They are excellent speakers, very efficient and the used prices are highly below what they are worth, IMO. Best of luck.

1. In most cases for the speakers you've listed you'll need larger power amp.
2. If you don't have a listening capabilities it's realy hard to 'collect equipment' since there will be pricey shipping involved indeed.

I was just wondering what is it that your current speakers are not doing that is giving you the itch to upgrade;is it something specific?

Thanks for the replies everyone. I would much prefer to be able to travel and listen, but it's a practical impossibility for me right now.

I am certainly open to in home audition and don't mind 'investing' a bit in shipping costs.

@Marakanetz: I also have a pair of Bella Extreme 100w mono's that are being tuned up right now and will be returned to me soon.

@Rleff: A little upgraditis but I would also like a more upfront soundstage, more midrange presence, more oomph in the upper bass and a little more treble sparkle (but not bright or harsh).