Best $4000-$5000 loudspeaker

If you can stretch a little more, consider the Audio Physic Avanti3 for around 6k used. Some people may say they fit into an excellent speaker under 15k category. When set up properly, Avanti3's image and create a very effective soundstage.

Depending on the type of music you enjoy. For classical and easier listening, I would consider the bigger ProAc's or Audio Physic's.

I think that if you can swing a pair of used Merlin VSM or Coincident Total Eclipses, you really will be hard pressed to beat them.

On the new front, you may want to wait for the word to come out about the new $5000 Fried Studio VII at CES 2005 in about a month and a half. I am a part owner of the company, but pride myself on being objective and even recommending other speakers. You will not find another speaker in its price range that will be able to offer you what this speaker does - REAL TL bass and midrange alignment, first order series crossovers, low Qts drivers, mirror imaged drivers, and are made right here in the USA (Pennsylvania). The speakers are incredibly easy to drive, sound exceptionally open and spacious, go really low and tight, and image like no large three way speaker has any right to. Although I am opposed to it, I fully expect that once the company has a foothold in the marketplace, you are going to see the prices ratchet up considerably - I prefer offering great value and making things up in volume. Get to them early if you can.

I own the Thiel 2.4, but if you like the Thiel sound, you might want to explore getting the 1.6 with the small Theil sub, or some other sub. The 1.6 has better low-volume performance than the 2.4.

I have a pair of Dali Helicon's. They sound great even at very low listening levels. You should be able to find them used or new in your price range. I have the 800's but depending on how big your room is even the 400's could do. I've listened to some Dynaudio S5.4 lately. Very good sounding speaker too. There you could also go with the S3.4 depending on the room. I would audition all of them if you like a neutral sounding speaker. The Dyn's need more power though to bloom.

Mike