People generally recommend what they have or have had. Most put a lot of research into their purchases and have chosen accordingly; makes perfect sense. Few however get a chance to a/b/c several brands because shops, for the most part, only carry 3-5 major brands and stay in their lane. They'd have you choose between what they're deep in in the stockroom. Try shops that have the ability to show and demonstrate a wide variety of used or vintage pieces. Those shops have more than likely experience with MANY brands and models and can help steer you in an informed direction. You make the final choice but from an eclectic mix of brands, models, designs and vintages. Having said that, in my own personal experience, I think the Mac or Hegel will match up well with SF, KEF Reference, JM Reynaud and yes, Aerial Acoustics. Have yet to hear a set of SFs or AAs that I wasn't smitten with starting with Cremona Auditor M and Aerial 5T and working up. Thought the KEF Reference One to be such a massive departure from LS50 Metas. JM Renaud Bliss Silver/ Jubilee are fabulous as well. Very limited dealer network but guys in Western Mass are an excellent shop and have the full line. Everyone's got an opinion and know mine is starting mid point of your budget. You can run away with things from there. Anyway, given the info being shared by forum members, I'll agree with the assessments of Sonus Faber, Vandersteen, KEF, Ref 3a, Spendor, ProAc, etc being brands that should be in your crosshairs. GL! A lot of good solid info in these posts,...
