Speaker Upgrade?

I would wait until you had some more cash and really do a upgrade at that time, for now sit back and enjoy. New models will be out after CES and there will probably be some good used speakers on Agon for sale.

Happy Listening.

Thanks to all for your responses. The Spendor solution intrigues me, Subaruguru and Listener57. We had a similar discussion last year, Phasecorrect, about this time, when the Quad 12L's first came out. Planars are out of the question because of the way they look. If I were to save my coin, and could go up to 2k, then what? Sorry to try your patience. Thanks again. W

Well...sounds like you are more unhappy with the Vandies cosmetics than anything else...and the Europas look cool in a Stanley Kubrick retro way...Joseph AUdio makes a nice monitor under 2k that looks great as well...good luck...many choices in this range....by the way...contact me when you are serious about upgrading..I would be interested in your vandies...

If you really are inclined to stay within your current budget, is there a way to apply a cosmetic finish on the GMA Europa cabinet to blend with the decor your wife prefers? This would be only if you end up picking the Europa.
I recently visited an audiophile whose obtrusive, giant Klipschorn bass cabinets were delicately decorated with a floral design, I think applied by an artistic wife.
Please arrange to listen to your choice of speakers, in person. Even if it is not in your own home, you can get a sense of overall quality, especially bass output, the Achilles heel of some stand mounted monitor speakers.
Your request for advice at $2000 level raises the possibility of Platinum Audio Reference 1's which are able to sound musical, clear, and full range, even with modest tube amp output in moderate sized room, although to really storm the heavens they can benefit from BIG AMPS. This is one of those speakers where the sound simply cannot be coming from such modest sized cabinets. This avoids taking over your room visually, but is definitely a modern design, not for early American or antique decor.
Since this is a hobby for you, it would be fun to make a change now, in your budget, and if you have actually listened to your choice there will be no buyer's remorse. There will always be a "better" component at a higher price, but why delay what can be enjoyed in the present?

there is a fellow selling Kef referance 203's here on Audiogon and they might be the perfect match for your system.

No, I don't know him but I spotted the add last night and I do know the Kefs. I own the 205s.