Speakers: $3,000-$4,000 on Audiogon

Hello Adam,

Why don't you add the Thiel 2.4 to that list?

For around 2200 used you can't go wrong with the VR4jrs. They are a fabulous speaker for that money. For a little more than you are wanting to spend you could get the SR version. You get more substantial bass and a smoother more sophisticated sound overall. I'd have to say the JRs are a super deal and you've got a good powerful amp that is what they like. I also owned the Maggies. Way different sound, much more rounded off and smoother than the JRs and they are huge speakers that will have to be way out in the room and you won't get as much bass as the tiny by comparison JRs. It's just a totally different sound. I could see one guy loving the Maggies and one loving the JRs. All the other speakers you are thinking of are dynamics so they are along the line of the sound of the JRs. The one great thing I think about the JRs is that they sound great off axis, you don't have to sit right in the sweet spot to enjoy them. The Maggies are fun, but a way bigger pain in the butt compared to any of the other speakers you are thinking of, plus if you have to deal with WAF then that might kill them right there. I enjoy the Maggies but they just don't have the snap and pop of dynamic speakers to my ear. Sorry I'm rambling but you get the idea. Oh and I would think you would love any of the Dynaudio speakers that use the esotar tweeter, you can't go wrong with that.

Running Klipsch Cornwall's and upgraded Thiel 2.3's with McIntosh. Both are worth a demo. Can also check out the McIntosh forum at Audiokarma.org.

Adam, IMO you are wise not to take much stock in any of our recommendations. Why, because you don't know any of our bias and preferences for audio reproduction. Ejilf points out the diverse opinions about these matters. Personally, I think Von Schweikert speakers are hyped beyond their performance at their price points. I've heard them in different systems, different rooms, VR4 jrs, VR4 srs, same impression, blah. I much prefer Maggies house sound, but that's just me and my biases. You must listen to these brands to see what YOUR tastes are. I'd also be interested in Zu, Zen Adagios, Nola Vipers, Vandersteen, & Coincident Partial Eclipses given your stated preferences.

If I had a preference, I would lean towards a warmer/less analytical sound but not to the point of sacrificing detail.

A British polite speaker perhaps? There are many but Harbeth's come quickest to mind - they might be "Goldilocks" to your tastes. Detailed but warm and pleasant.