Speaker Upgrade Help Please

I'm going to dissent on the Vandy recommendations, only because I think placing them close to the back wall while possible would likely greatly diminish their outstanding imaging and soundstaging capabilities (as it would with many speakers). I'd skew toward a design meant specifically to be placed near the back wall -- something like a VonSchweikert VR-33 might be ideal if it passes the all-powerful WAF. Best of luck.

If you look enough you should be able to pick up a pair of pre-owned Contour 5.4's for the upper part of you budget. They even have the Esotar2 tweeter. Not quite the Confidence level but very very close. You'll get a more refined Dyn 'house sound'. Or wait a bit... The Contour line has not been upgraded in quite a while especially when looking at the Confidence line down.

Best of luck whatever you decide

I guess before we go down this road any further, you should tell us what wifey WILL and WILL NOT allow. What criteria prevented Vandersteens from passing muster?

Shakey

Adam S3X-V or Quested V3110. Either of these will be more dynamic and have a much greater SPL with no compression.

Absolutely stunning.

Also both are three ways.

Again, thanks all for the responses.

The wifey prefers wood Cherry finish, as it matches other stuff like my REL B1 and furniture. The big black fronts of the Vandy's won't go over, nor will some 9 foot metal and black monstrosity.

So, basically I'm looking for Cherry wood finish, with relatively small footprint that moves a lot of air and is forgiving on placement. I know it's pretty specific.

I've never heard Totem Forest, but not sure if that's a lateral move from the Dyn Focus 220s.

Any thoughts on PSB Synchrony 1?

ProAc sounds interesting, and I loved Dali, but their depth at almost 20" and recommendation of 2 feet from the back wall would put the speakers out into the middle of the room.

Although I like Dynaudio, I'm curious to try something else. I loved Naim and Dali pairing for classical, but it didn't kick hard enough for the rock and jazz that I enjoy.