Speaker help - short list needed

Depending on how much bass you are looking for, then you've already said it...Sonus Fabers are wonderful and for 1500, you can buy a lot of SF these days...particularly if you go back 2 generations to the Electa Amators/Extrema generation.

Maggies are very good for the money, as long as you have space and a good, high current amp

Depending on volume, you (might?) be able to look at an older Quad 988? no doubt you can check here.

For even less than SF, if you can find Celestion SL700 or SL600si, they are great speakers. Set up right (very hard to do), they image beautifully, have an incredibly beautiful voicing, and have surprisingly deep bass (but only when set up right on the bass part).

If you want a more disciplined sound that is still quite warm tonally, try PMC (professional monitor company). Or Totem Acoustics.

All for now...if i think of others, i'll post. Good luck and enjoy! pls keep us posted.

Agree on Vandersteens...they have always (as long as i can remember...back to mid 90s) positioned themselves as great value for money speakers that do a lot of things well that other speakers cannot touch...and many other things at a level that is at least on par/competitive.

As for KEFs, my own experience is a bit dated...the first few generations of uni-q felt like they could bite a bit. Perhaps the latest 2 generations are better...again, my own experience is 2 generations out of date, so one person's opinion regarding s/hand KEFs...