Getting a Divorce and can now buy floor standing speakers


So, I am getting rid of the wife (divorce, I am not burying her in the backyard!) and can now get big floor standing speakers. I currently have a Luxman integrated and model 30 Harbeth speakers, and a very good sub. Very neutral/natural sound, can listen for long sessions. But I don't get a very good image, and it seems a little too laid back. I listen mainly to singer-song writers, both male and female. Lots of acoustic/piano.

There are so many floor standers now, I'd like to shorten the list. Any suggestions to start my search? I am located in southern CA, so I can listen to almost any brand. Price should be under $100K. 

I may lose a wife, but so far the freedom/cash is worth it.

Thanks all!

128x128deadhead1000

With that kind of money in play, you should go to a show or two to sample a wide variety of types of speakers.  That should include large panel speakers (planar magnetics or electrostatics), Multiway systems employing widerange drivers to cover most of the music (e.g., Voxativ), single driver systems (Charney Audio, Songer Audio), omni directional speakers (e.g., MBL), truly oddball unique systems (Bayz Audio), and open baffle designs (PureAudioProject, Cinnamon Audio). 

Of course, as I mentioned above, you should also consider compression horn systems.  I have not heard that many good, modern, compression horn systems except for the tremendously expensive Goto stuff ($100k might get you the drivers for a mono system).  Among the better modern systems are those offered by Volti at prices way below your target.  But, again, custom systems are much better than what is generally available.  If you insist on current, modern production drivers, the best are very expensive (e.g, G.I.P Laboratories in Japan make terrific Western Electric replicas) or ridiculously expensive (e.g., Goto, ALE or Cogent).  Deja Vu Audio that I mentioned above has made systems with only modern G.I.P. drivers, but that can be more expensive than using exotic vintage drivers.  Still, at your price level, a trip to Northern Virginia (suburb of DC) would be worthwhile.

@deadhead1000 

I highly recommend you put Rockport speakers on your list. The Cygnus is below your price limit. Rockport speakers are universally praised and sound spectacular ! Good luck in your search

 

@deadhead1000 

I would suggest you find a girlfriend, or several, who have floor standing speakers.  Win, win, win.

After my 1st marriage fell through the drain (no death no until part crap n all..), I got more tactical. I threw big house parties in a house filled with gear and scanned the party persons pool with more scrutiny.... looked to see if such an environment felt like a natural habitat to some or what.

Eventually, I discovered a rare bird at a very loud concert, who thought the sight of all that PA gear was ’memerizing’..can’t be real i thought at the moment......Needless to say, all the gear n my house looked mesmerizing to that bird as well...that is coming up on 25 years ago now. Hence, I am still married this time.

The right bird for anyone could be out there, if you are a bit more tactical with the scanner.