When choosing new Speakers, what matters most to you?

How close the speakers are at portraying the live event, whether it be a chamber ensemble, symphony orchestra, intimate jazz performance, or an outdoor rock concert.  No speaker that I've run into can replicate that spectrum perfectly - there are always compromises with any design choice.

Only two speakers I've encountered that got close to ONE of those aforementioned mile markers:

Wilson WATT/Puppy 5s reproducing Horowitz on stage

Dunlavy SC-IV/As playing an acoustic performance of "Hotel California".

That said - the Wilson wasn't able to "do live" as well as the Dunlavy; and that speaker had a hard time not getting "gritty" with solo instrument performances.

A well known brand for sure. American made is great but not a deal breaker. We make very very good speakers in USA but you all know this. Matching the amp I have to the speakers, synergy is a must. If it is not smooth, efficient, non-distortion at high levels, etc... I move on quickly. The British brands have a few nice products . I wish I could try some quad amps and speakers some day, so good! 

I bought the speaker that I liked and then built my system around them. I know the sound I like and as soon as I heard Vandersteen’s I stopped looking. I then went on the journey to put the rest of the system in place. We all know the journey never ends and is a wild but fun ride. Never forget to find the time to enjoy the music!

@cindyment

Why did you have to ruin his day by telling him the truth about all the foreign cars he had purchased and drove.
I grew up in a GM town, went to school and am good friends with all the union assemblers and I will tell you that I never have and never will buy a vehicle that they had their hands on.

Even they will tell you that 75% of gm vehicles are now built in mexico and canada in non union plants.

I called up the chick with the Stradavarius….said I’ ll have what you got, but in Audi Phantom Black Pearl…

Another in a series of agenda driven, self serving questions… 

BTW, while i own 7 pairs of speakers, my favorites measure great, win awards and come from a reputable made in USA company in business since 1977.