Best Floorstander Under 10K?


This thread is prompted by another that started to head in this direction. I've been looking for over a year for an attractive floorstanding speaker with outstanding musicality in a two channel application. Much of what I've heard has been pretty disappointing--barely or not at all bettering my Harbeth Compact 7's at $2500. I'm interested in hearing from folks who are passionate about their floorstanders. These could be current production or something from past years that provides excellent sound and value. Perhaps I've missed the diamond in the rough. My listening room has grown to 26 X 14 X 9 and I really would like to find something the wife will find attractive/unobtrusive and provide a fuller sound but preserving the "rightness" of the Harbeths. Any thoughts?
dodgealum
Lrsky,
Allow me to introduce you to the Moderation Guidelines, linked from the lower right corner of the Main Forums menu:
What we will decline:
We hope to decline very few submissions, but we refuse to post statements that take away from the usefulness of these forums. Here are some examples of the types of posts that will be rejected most of the time:

* Questions that you can answer for yourself by searching the previous answers, or by following a known web link, or by reading the manual.
* Questions that only you can answer, such as "Will that subwoofer have enough bass for me?"
* Questions with no answer, such as "Is this amp any good?"
* Posts that do not give sufficient information about your system, your experience, or your tastes.
* Posts that are off-topic or casual bantering.
* Posts that are obviously trying to sell something.
...
Check out that last one above, it's a doozy.

Perhaps you haven't read the posting rules, or at least you don't agree with them. Common sense should tell you it isn't kosher to self promote, but then maybe I'm jaded from being in the trenches as an ordinary joe consumer for thirty years before throwing my hat in the ring. If I want a sales pitch I'll watch late night TV infomercials. Dude, this thing is supposed to be fun.

Sorry to all for venting and sounding like some kind of creepy net cop, but it had to be said.
Dude,(least you forget that this is 2005, please) Larry will do just fine.
"In my experience and opinion full range dipoles do it best."
That was your answer to, "Which speaker renders piano best."
If I am not mistaken, YOU are a Sound Labs dealer, and I am sure that anyone who is a thinking person, finds this to be completely (if not your honest opinion, in fairness) self serving to your cause. To put the fine point that it was no doubt truthful on your part is a waste of time, so was I.
You only haunt this site to hawk your wares, so please don't be duplicitious.
If you read 99.999999999% of all my posts they are benevolent and time consuming answers to people wanting honest answers to questions, (as was my own self serving mention of LSA).
I have spent several hours waxing poetic over the DK MK II for no reason other than to "pass it on".
Give us all a break and quit the 'police' routine here.
How pious of a registered 'commercial' user, who takes every opportunity, however subtle, to further his cause. You are only here for financial gain, and anything thought to the contrary is naiive.
We have ALWAYS gotten along. Let this go, in the name of common sense.
I wish you well, and if you look back, I apologized three times for having 'offended' anyone.
Following your, "I think dipoles, (Sound Labs by any other name, do it best"...) is very close to 'selling something'.
At least I was completely open about my answer.
My credentials as former Vice President of Sales and Marketing International for THIEL Audio, and President Emeritus for Von Schweikert Audio, give me perspective, and credibility among those who follow these writs. Plus, I spend hours weekly answering questions privately, (for no gain) from Audiogon followers who seek my advice because of my credentials, none of which anyone sees.
PLEASE let it go as a minor, unimportant gaffe, and fit of oportunity on my part, and zeal over my new babies.
Good luck on selling Sound Labs... though to be 'honest' mine tragically broke after only five months of normal, gentle use...propelling me into what will undoubtedly be a non refundable $500. freight nightmare, plus weeks of down time. I hope everyone else has better luck with $18,000.00 speakers than I did. Maybe another reason why a 'free', virtually no time involved fix for a dynamic speaker suits me better, however wonderful the Sound Labs may sound, this is gut wrenching.
Good listening to everyone...and please Dude, (oops, Brian)let this go, it's not that important, and you couldn't possibly THAT offended, given YOUR opportunistic bent here.
Lrsky/whatever,
I have ALWAYS tried to indicate my affiliations, as if my moniker isn't clear enough to indicate I'm a dealer. You are only guessing, rather badly, as to my motives for posting.

Take a look at some of your own posts, including the ones in this thread (need some links?). Who's being opportunistic?

As to your credentials, what is "Professor Emeritus" supposed to mean? Do you have a Ph.D. and teach at a university?

Sorry to hear about your SL speakers, as most folks don't have problems. But then you chose to air your grievances, despite their concerted efforts.