Maybe I dont get your tastes (thick and real?). I like transparent and detailed (natural sounding). I would audition (in your price range): Martin Logan ESL X, Tannoy Eaton, maybe some Magnapans or KEFs or Lii Songs. I tend to always enjoy electrostatics and concentric dynamic more than other designs. I have older Martin Logan Source connected to my (older) Prima Luna Prologue amp and really like them. I also have your Grado headphones, but rarely listen to headphones, and prefer my (more expensive) HiFiman HE6 planar-magnetic phones anyway.
Speaker upgrade for Primaluna EVO 300 - Looking to find some audio nirvana bliss!
I have a Primaluna EVO 300 with KT120s running into Rega RS5 speakers. When I use my tube Fosgate phono stage, the system is pretty awesome. ( Warm thick and alive).
Without the phono stage, the sound is a little thinner, a little less bass, and a little less alive. I've had my Rega speakers for almost 15 years and am ready to upgrade.
I listen to rock: REM, Nora Jones, Sound Garden, Pearl Jam, Zeppelin, etc.
I have an old Cayin Spark HA-1A EL84 headphone amp I listen to with Grado PS500e headphones. That's the sound I want. Thick and real. It draws me in.
My budget is up to $5,000. I'm good with used.
I'm dealing with limited space or I probably would've already bought the Klipsch Forte IV speakers. I need something no more than 12" wide. I'd prefer small towers, like my current Regas.
What speakers am I looking for?