which floor speaker up to 1500.00

If you insist on new, Vandersteen 1C is my recommendation as well.
If you don't mind used and lowering your budget, look at these. I have owned the 1Cs twice and the Kestrels 3 times. My preference is for the Kestrels as they have musicality all over the Vandies. They also shine in small rooms.

I'm clearly not trying to hide behind a screen name.

The 1C isn't exactly a great example of quality components and contruction in a floorstander for under $2k. Retail price for all the drivers and crossover components used would be under $200, and the cabinet certainly isn't resonance free. The point I made in the first post is still totally valid.

That said, I did own a pair back around 2000. Thought they were good, but ultimately outgrew them because they're too laid back and a bit lifeless. They were a good deal back then, but now-a-days internet direct companies like Aperion and Emotiva offer a lot more value for the entry-level floorstanders. The PSB Imagine T2 is also a pretty solid speaker for $1500/pair ... about as good as you'd get for the price if you're set on floorstanders.

I don't think Vapor1 is saying anything controversial here. Monitors' strengths are generally their imaging, and a stiff cabinet lacking in resonances is more easily found at this price point for a new speaker in monitors, not floorstanders.

IME, monitors image like a dream and can give a great soundstage. That is a challenge for floorstanders for the reasons Vapor1 added, and since you will get closer to a point source sound from monitors (and will get point source if you go with a coax design).

For new floorstanders, I think Tekton Lores are in your budget range. They get rave reviews from some corners of this forum. But I'd guess that they may be a bit forward (like many speakers of similar designs I have heard). Check the Lore threads to see about soundstage and imaging (though take some of the "giant killer" fanboys with a grain of salt).

As for what you didn't ask about: Used, I'd say look for a pair of Von Schewiekert floorstanders. New, aside from floorstanders, I'd look hard at the KEF LS50s. Or for stoopid cheap monitors, I was really impressed by the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR monitors designed by Andrew Jones (at least get a pair for a garage, kitchen, bedroom system folks).

Vapor1,

"The 1C isn't exactly a great example of quality components and contruction in a floorstander for under $2k. Retail price for all the drivers and crossover components used would be under $200, and the cabinet certainly isn't resonance free. The point I made in the first post is still totally valid."

With regard to that statement, I don't know how you would know how all those separate components used would add up to somewhere under $200. Maybe you're right; if you could even find them all used. What I really want to know is how you go about judging the resonance of the cabinet? Did you measure it? Did you compare it to other cabinets? What was the process?

I'll be completely honest with you. I question how accurate your info is. I've no problem at all with your opinion, and if it differs from mine. Reading your posts, though, it looks like you are going beyond opinion and are getting into fact territory. That's just how I see it. If I'm wrong, or just not reading your post as you intended, I apologize.

To the OP,

Rlwainwright offers an excellent piece of advice. He states: "Remember, quality speakers have a lifespan of decades, buying something 2-3 years old is the smart thing to do..." I couldn't agree more. (Not so much with the part about buying used. That's up to you. Its a personal choice.) If you take the time now, and be sure you like whatever speakers you end up with, you may not have to go through this process again for a while (hopefully). Its not the easy way to do it, but you're the one that has to listen to them, not us.

Zd542 - I suppose I should clarify the position I made above. When I owned the 1C's was when I was beginning speaker design, or more appropriately at the time ... tinkering. I know because I had the 1C's completely disassembled many times. I rewired the internals, added extra cabinet bracing, and replaced some of the crossover components with better quality parts, and removed the polyswitch fuses. Those things helped somewhat, and they also improved when I ran them "naked", without the sock and chopped off the dowels and top plate. But the Vifa D25 tweeters and P21 woofers are both inexpensive parts, although solid performers for the price.

To my knowledge the design is the same now as it was 10 years ago, but if I'm incorrect in thinking that, I apologize.