Started with $1k speakers … what now?

@benanders A fair question, and thanks for your insight. The SF is a smaller front ported box and works closer to wall boundaries. The Polk has to be positioned out from the walls, at least in the space where I have them. So they served different purposes for me, and sonically I like the tone of the SF Lumina but also the impact and soundstage of the Polks, which can be a bit less exciting, overall, in my setup/space. The adage “buy cheap buy twice” isn’t lost on me, though; I honestly didn’t know a thing about speakers or placement then and felt 1k was a good starting point. So moving on from this, I’m looking for a speaker that is built to a higher level of performance, hoping that that 3-5k range new or used will get there and seeing some of the great suggestions, it seems that it will, regardless of room treatments or placement options, which are certainly their own important considerations. I really appreciate the suggestions for the Carbons and Joseph Audio, and others. These are products I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. I’ll be looking at a few.

Have you found A British Audiophile on Y/T? He has a smaller listening room than I do, where I use floor standers, he tends to focus on stand mount speakers. There are impressive speakers in that segment. Good luck with the hunt

There are a lot of well-off individuals posting here. Not to be critical, but simply more about how much financial risk one can take in their audio journey.

To me. it’s about Synergy, not $pending. That is not to say more dollars doesn’t get you less compromises, but rather the main lever to pull is the Integration of your components together, and your system into the room, which may involve $$ but involves many other aspects.

To drill in from a general audio opinion, I would say it’s fairly useless to choose speakers without a substantial audition in your room with your other components, your music, over an extended period that allows for real fatigue or sustained enjoyment. That’s not to say I walk into an audio store and don’t listen - sure I do...speakers have sufficient differences to be able to discern to some degree in non-contextual listening. It's a great way to knock out what you don't like!

But to really know, you just have to have them in your house. There are two primary ways I have seen to do this:

(1) Borrow from audio dealers or work with manufacturers/distributors that allow returns.

(2) Buy gently used gear at 50%-75% market value, already having lost the new speaker premium price, listen for 3-6 months, then keep, sell, or repurpose.

The latter is a slower, and to me more enjoyable process that is part of the whole thing - no reason to have to be in a hurry for any decision. I tend to keep several sets side by side, then one set goes to the lake house or as a trade-in at the audio dealer or back on Craigslist (only done CR as a seller a few times).

There is no audio endgame. Enjoy the journey. Don’t be in a hurry, it just costs more, and you miss half the attractions. Think of it like a fancy multicourse meal: everything keeps getting better, but you’re not in a hurry for the dessert.

I don’t disagree with any of your points I become annoyed when folks suggest items WAY above the OP’s stated budget and folks that recommend products they have no first hand experince with. Seeking speakers with a 5K budget in mind would suggest there is disposable income in play and certainly not what I’d consider over the top in regards to what a really good pair of speakers could go for. Additionally I would not assume whether or not someone is well heeled based on these discussions. I’ve encountered plenty of folk that spend way beyond their means in any endeavor and some that may have second Lake houses and may only purchase if an item is used etc. Who am I to judge?  Sometimes there are items suggested that are so spot on that they are almost never availible on the used market. As is the case in my exchanges here, NO Fritz speakers are availible on the used market anywhere so what does that suggest?. No one is suggesting to the OP to rush out and do anything, all I’ve read thus far for the most part is exactly the input they are seeking, but at some point...you gotta get off zero.

I love the Fritz line. I find them exceedingly smooth and neutral from the midrange to the treble (possible exception the Be) with bass much larger than the speakers and amazing transparency and imaging for the price.

My one concern about them is that many will find them too mellow and laid back. for small rooms, Jazz, classical and choral they could be fantastic. With a sub also fantastic.

They do benefit from decent room acoustics.

Absolutely the best buy in high end for the money and size.