I've never liked Polk Audio loudspeakers. Big cabinets stuffed to the gills with cheap drivers and sold for cheap. They look good, but...
Your very best value is in a good DIY loudspeaker project, or possibly finding a well-made DIY set used. Don't turn your nose up at DIY. Many of the designs are done by the best audio engineers on the planet and are just as good as the best commercial designs. Within your $8k budget, you could easily put together the Linkwitz LX521 system and never want another speaker again for the rest of your life. Will stand up against the top line $100k MBL system.
The LX521, properly done, has no need for sub-woofers. This is a project you could readily afford. They do come up on the used market from time to time, but they're so good that few have a need to part with them. The primary drawback with the LX521 is that it uses an active crossover and multiple power amps, so it's a considerably more complex project, but many have built them and you WILL be the envy of every audiophile visitor.
Another DIY project is the SEAS Thor. Total materials cost will run you about $2500. If you don't want to build it, Madisound partners with a cabinet maker that will make it up for you and ship it to you. Delivered will probably run you about $3500.
The Thor was designed by Joe D'Appolito, one of the best known loudspeaker designers on the planet. This is not some cheap throw together. This is true audiophile hi-end. This design is very comparable to the Joseph Audio Perspective 2 Graphene, which retails at about $13,000. Both designs use the same tweeter and have transmission line cabinets. The Thor uses a slightly larger bass driver.
Your very best value is in a good DIY loudspeaker project, or possibly finding a well-made DIY set used. Don't turn your nose up at DIY. Many of the designs are done by the best audio engineers on the planet and are just as good as the best commercial designs. Within your $8k budget, you could easily put together the Linkwitz LX521 system and never want another speaker again for the rest of your life. Will stand up against the top line $100k MBL system.
The LX521, properly done, has no need for sub-woofers. This is a project you could readily afford. They do come up on the used market from time to time, but they're so good that few have a need to part with them. The primary drawback with the LX521 is that it uses an active crossover and multiple power amps, so it's a considerably more complex project, but many have built them and you WILL be the envy of every audiophile visitor.
Another DIY project is the SEAS Thor. Total materials cost will run you about $2500. If you don't want to build it, Madisound partners with a cabinet maker that will make it up for you and ship it to you. Delivered will probably run you about $3500.
The Thor was designed by Joe D'Appolito, one of the best known loudspeaker designers on the planet. This is not some cheap throw together. This is true audiophile hi-end. This design is very comparable to the Joseph Audio Perspective 2 Graphene, which retails at about $13,000. Both designs use the same tweeter and have transmission line cabinets. The Thor uses a slightly larger bass driver.