Opinions wanted: 10-30K Speakers for Jazz/Folk

And - the greater your budget the more likely that you will benefit by attending an audio show such as AXPONA in Chicago to listen to various systems to see what you prefer.  Its at these shows that you will learn not only what sound you prefer, but also what electronics best mate with various speakers, because the mfrs always make sure they have the best system synergies to optimize the sound of their products.

You may want to provide more specific requirements.  Such as the rest of the system you intend to drive the speakers with - solid state, tube, SET, low power, high power, etc.  What type of room and furnishings you will be using.  What sound qualities are most important - detail resolution, clarity, soundstage, imaging, etc.  

If you prefer the sound of tubes, or even a SET amp, you will require more efficient speakers than if you prefer solid state amps with lots of power.  If you like the sound of Harbeth speakers, you will require a powerful solid state amp to achieve their best sound (as Harbeth demos their speakers with and suggests).  Etc, etc, etc.

You should also identify your budget for your system and the speakers.  It doesnt help you if you have a limited budget and you receive suggestions for speakers that cost $20,000 to $50,000+.

Although - I’m reluctant to suggest any speaker (system), when you’ve not fully identified all the relevant "specs" - I must agree with "Willgolf" (as I have elsewhere on the forums) - the Viking Acoustics speakers are exceptional - especially with jazz, classical, country (all things acoustic).

While Willgolf has one (or two) of Viking’s more expensive speakers, I have their Berlin R MKII stand mount monitors, which are superb with tube amps and "all things acoustic." I also have a collection of several other speakers (including Maggies, Harbeth’s, Linkwitz’s, LaHave’s, etc. to name a few)... and... the Vikings provide the most lifelike sound with tube amps of those I have (though they all sound superb with the right setup). They provide a sound a bit similar to the higher end Tannoy’s (Canterbury, Westminster, etc.)

And... as Will noted, I had Dave Counsel modify my Berlin’s caps and woofer / midrange to provide a bit more detail resolution, clarity and dynamics than the original design - though all his designs provide superb sound in all respects. I bought mine when Viking was known as dc10Audio - and Dave made the changes promptly with a minimum of cost with me just describing the sound I preferred.

As you’ve seen his product line is in your price range. And... if... you want to avoid the crowds of AXPONA (or similar), you might want to vacation in Santa Fe to hear the Viking’s - great place to visit any time of year, especially if you like to ski, or just enjoy Southwest cuisine, and interesting art. Or, I think Dave also makes some of the shows to demo his wares - so, you might check that out also. You won’t be disappointed and will have a great time, whichever. And... if you’re going to invest that kind of money, as indicated in your headline, it would well be worth your time and money.