Sounds like you are at the "everything sounds better than what I've got stage". As exertfluffer said do some listening to everything you can find and try to find what you like best. Except for digital stuff, technology isn't changing all that fast. But there is a lot of variety out there right now and finding what's out there that suits your taste is important.
As you can see, most people here recommend a cerain brand because they have listened to lots of stuff and determined what sounds good to them. Otherwise you can get disappointed after you've bought your stereo. Chances are you may listen way more critically after you've bought your stereo than you did in the store. And find faults you didn't hear on first listen.
I'll throw out my preferences, maybe they'll be some help. I could not find floorstanding speakers for under $2,000 that I was happy with so I would suggest bookshelf monitor speakers. Here are good brands that represent a big variety in sound:
1)Dynaudio BM-5 ~$450.00(reputed to be better than "audiophile" Audience 52 version.)
2) Epos M12 maybe still on sale from Audioadvisor ~$650.
3) ELF 1.5 or buy 2 Jordan JX92s single driver and put them in premade, real wood veneer cabinet from www.partsexpress.com. This is better than the omega's I heard.
4) B&W DM 601 or 602 ($450-$600).
5) Monitor Audio Bronze 1 or 2 ($450-600).
6) CBM-170 for $328 delivered. This speaker is very clear and dynamic. People call it a home theater speaker because vocals and rifle shots are very clear. Definitley not as "musical" as Spendor, JM Reynaud, Acoustic Energy Aegis 1
7) KRK ST-6 ~$200.00/pair sold at Guitar Center which is a national chain.
After you find speakers you like, find suitable amp to drive them.
As you can see, most people here recommend a cerain brand because they have listened to lots of stuff and determined what sounds good to them. Otherwise you can get disappointed after you've bought your stereo. Chances are you may listen way more critically after you've bought your stereo than you did in the store. And find faults you didn't hear on first listen.
I'll throw out my preferences, maybe they'll be some help. I could not find floorstanding speakers for under $2,000 that I was happy with so I would suggest bookshelf monitor speakers. Here are good brands that represent a big variety in sound:
1)Dynaudio BM-5 ~$450.00(reputed to be better than "audiophile" Audience 52 version.)
2) Epos M12 maybe still on sale from Audioadvisor ~$650.
3) ELF 1.5 or buy 2 Jordan JX92s single driver and put them in premade, real wood veneer cabinet from www.partsexpress.com. This is better than the omega's I heard.
4) B&W DM 601 or 602 ($450-$600).
5) Monitor Audio Bronze 1 or 2 ($450-600).
6) CBM-170 for $328 delivered. This speaker is very clear and dynamic. People call it a home theater speaker because vocals and rifle shots are very clear. Definitley not as "musical" as Spendor, JM Reynaud, Acoustic Energy Aegis 1
7) KRK ST-6 ~$200.00/pair sold at Guitar Center which is a national chain.
After you find speakers you like, find suitable amp to drive them.