Candidates for best speakers in the $2000-5000 market

@richardmathes: I haven't read through this entire thread. As such, I'm sure there are/were many great speakers mentioned and/or recommended here and this is probably redundant, to some extent. However, that being said, a few years ago, I spent LOTS of time in reading, researching and orchestrated critical listening sessions in order to replace my two-channel system speakers. As with most things HiFi, proper component matching and careful consideration of your room dimensions and acoustic properties are very, very important factors here. Here are some of the speakers I did serious seat-time with during my quest and liked very much: Monitor Audio + Focal + Sonus Faber + Martin Logan + Vienna Acoustics (would need to stretch that budget range for new and needs beefy amp) + Paradigm + Aerial Acoustics (would need to stretch that budget for new and needs beefy amp) + Vandersteen + Dynaudio + Spendor (needs careful amp-matching and room placement) + GoldenEar Triton + PSB + Revel. The good reviews are too numerous to mention. That, you'll need and should do for yourself.

As you are probably already aware, speakers are likely THE MOST personal or subjective choice for a HiFi enthusiast or audiophile. Only YOUR ears can and will tell you what sounds "best"

Enjoy the journey!

Audiovector R1 Arrete  with incredible AMT speaker.

I agree most with @bigtwin - up-level by buying more expensive gear, used, in great condition. I'm one of the rare fans, here, of Meridian speakers and have never paid anywhere near full price for them. Find the brands that excite you and look for deals (sometimes, for me, it involved waiting a while; now, with the audiophile business releasing a lot of new, must-have products it's much easier for me to get great gear as [those of greater means] move to the next level); the patience pays off in getting products you never would have considered ... but listen/consider first and have some fun on the journey.

LOL, we have as many nominees as we have posts. Perhaps testimony to a good question, right?

@retrocrownfan You nailed it.  The OP didn’t feel it necessary to share what sound characteristics he’s looking for, and the result is recommendations from all over the place that may well have nothing in common with his own tastes — like throwing darts at a board blindfolded and mostly useless.  As with all posts here, you get what you give. 

I got my used Magnepan 20.1s right here on Audiogon for $5500 ($12,500 new). I'm extremely happy with that deal and I don't think better sounding speakers can be found under $10,000.