Best speaker in the $5-10K range. Details below.

One can get lucky and by speakers unheard that work well, but the obvious (and often repeated) advice to listen remains good. If you can't shop, could you go to an audio show, such as Rocky Mountain (Oct. in CO) or AK (Spring in MI)? You can hear a lot in a day or two that way.

Although listening "out" is helpful, it's hard to determine exactly how something will work in your room with your kit (that's why the obvious advice is, IMO, not completely helpful).

Fortunately, many companies with mail order business models allow in house demo's, which is the test that matters most (the downside is, it means buying new). On your list, that includes, Salk, VSA, and maybe Legacy.

Now, to add a bit on the question you actually asked. If you go Legacy, I'd stretch for the Whisper, which *might* be had for 10k (give Bill D. a call about demos and the like), and is a lot better than the Focus -- that is, very good. To add one not on your list, the Gallo 3.5 is lovely, and can be had at your price point (Call Walter at Underwood). I much prefer it to the Salk HT2-TL (and the VSA 33), which is a looker, but runs a little hard or analytical on the highs, on my hearing. A company that is often mentioned with Salk is Selah; I prefer Selah, and would talk to Rick Craig about a the possibility of a home demo.

So I think you can do it your way, but be prepared to spend on return freight!

John

I agree with Al that Daedalus should be on your list, since their business model fits your circumstances. The monitor hits your price point, could probably play your pretty big room, and in my hearing, gives up surprisingly little to the big Ulysses. The sound, I think, tends to the laid back -- definitely mot brittle or fatiguing. As a bonus, drool worthy box work.

John

I'm with you, Mpit, as my previous speakers (which I used for five years) and current speakers, both of which I like a lot, were bought sight-unheard. Furthermore, I've auditioned lots of speakers, and generally don't go away feeling very confident (though I'm more confident eliminating than including).

At the same time, the other side will note that you've been through 2 pair of >5k speakers a year for seven years (!), which some might take as good evidence for shopping out/auditioning. I guess the lesson is that the home audition/be willing to trade frequently approach can work, but will require some investment of time and money.

I think Ann Abor has a couple of decent dealers, btw.

John

For Magnepan, would the OP also need to change his amplification?