Any monitors clearly better than Pulsars?


After some recent amp and preamp upgrades, I'm wondering if it's possible to push further on my speakers.

Right now, I'm running Joseph Audio Pulsars, which I enjoy thoroughly. Because I live in an apartment, floorstanders are out of the question, and I know the Pulsars are some of the best monitors around.

My question is: are there any monitors that are clearly head and shoulders above the Pulsars, which might be worth a listen? Budget-wise, I could probably go up to $12k used.

In terms of what I'm looking there, really there is nothing specific. I'd say the same about upgrading from the LS26 to the REF 5SE; I wasn't looking for anything specific there, but the 5SE is clearly better :)

That said, I'd be hoping to find a speaker that is clearly an upgrade. If any other monitor would be a minor step up, or more of a lateral move, then I'm happy standing pat with the Pulsars.
rrolack
Prof, btw, I really liked the pulsar when i heard them. its just that I prefer a speaker with more bass and even more importantly is how loud it can play cleanly along a life size image. The 30.2 for me have more of a life size image, but one of the trade off is a soundstage that cannot be compared to the Pulsar. The pulsar use totl Seas driver and its quite impressive in many ways, but I still find the presentation lacking in many ways.

I see you also really like the Devore 093/096. to me its a perfect example, that sort of presentation is to my ears in another league to the Pulsar as well. For the same price, lets just say I know which speaker id get.

ok, back to OP
I am using an asymmetrical crossover with the 7” driver.  The tweeter is second order and the driver is third order to help minimize cone break-up.  

Bass response at normal listening level appears to be crisp and precise down to the 40hz range.  It is impressive for a relatively small speaker.  

What is is definitely lacking compared to the very best monitors is the massive soundstage and ultra-detailed imaging that you get from my Blackthorns, The Kaiser Chiaras, Raidho’s, etc...  They all sound much bigger than they are.  

I have not tried these drivers in a more rigid cabinet (I.e., Carbon Fiber) so I am unsure if I am simply experiencing a limitation in terms of the drivers or that the drivers are limited by being in a less than perfect cabinet.  Bamboo has proven better than MDF in my testing but not at the same level as Fiberglass and a big step down from Carbon Fiber but other than aluminum and a few other materials, what isn’t.  

the Seas Magnesium drivers are great and what is unique is how much bass they deliver compared to other drivers at the same size.  Best in the world for off the shelf?  If bass is your motivator, almost certain they are.  Either these or the Graphene’s.  

If balanced sound (bass vs detail and soundstage) is your concern, Eton’s Arcosia is probably the best driver in the world off the shelf.  Massive soundstage with imaging that is off the charts.  

For just detail (who cares about bass) Acutons might be the best.  These might be the perfect midrange in a three way way speaker.  

Regarding tweeters, the Seas Excel is very nice.  The high mass makes it a good fit for these less rigid (non-composite) cabinets.  In a wood/plywood/MDF cabinet it is superb.  Not sure it would do much better in a more rigid cabinet.  

The Seas drivers are about as good as you can get for inexpensive (MDF, plywood, solid wood) cabinet materials.