Speakers costing range of 2500-3500 per pair

Get something of high efficiency. The Focals have decent efficiency on paper, but not so much in practical use. Check out the Monitor Audio Silver 300s, they’re more efficient, less fatiguing and simply better speakers.

The aforementioned Vandersteen 2CE Sig IIs are another must audition in this price range but are not as efficient. Their 1Cis are efficient enough and competitive in the $3K class.

^ Johnny,

 There are plenty of truly efficient speakers that don't result in audible ringing. However, I agree that plenty of ineffienct speakers sound excellent. I suggested he look toward higher efficiency speakers because Denon receivers often lack grunt IME. I suggested the 1Cis because my experience was that they're plenty efficient for modest power but they also trump many speakers in this price class. His particular receiver is supposedly capable of 140 watts into each channel, so maybe it would be just fine with more demanding speakers. 

My local dealer sells the the Revel F206s for $2550 a pair. If you like the Arias, you'll find the Revels are better on all levels.

Weird that an Aria owner can’t spell the name of his speakers. I can’t imagine how one would end up deciding between them and Spendors. To say that’s an apples to oranges comparison is an understatement.

Anyway, folks need to get out and audition more speakers. I have a hard time imagining anyone would pick them unless they’ve had a very slim diet of auditions. IMO, yes, just my opinion, the Arias are competitive in the $2K realm, nothing more. I had a chance to buy a demo pair for $2K. I listened to them with a couple well regarded amps, with many genres of music, but they just didn’t have anything that justified their price. I have experience with several less expensive speakers that were better to my ears, including Revel Concerta2 F36s, Monitor Audio Silver 8s, Vandersteen 1Cis, KEF LS50s and Maggie 1.7s (the latter two in all aspects but bass). Of course, this is just my opinion, but that was my honest assessment. I will say they are a great looking speaker.

^ No, that's because MDF is less resonant than bamboo. Plywood is one of the best materials, as the BBC concluded with actual research. You can read about it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/publications/rdreport_1977_03

@audiozen

Nothing against Ascend speakers. I haven’t heard them but from everything I’ve read, I have no doubt that they’re at least competitive with others mentioned here. Owners seem to love them. Do you own a pair? As far as materials are concerned, I wasn’t referring to tensile strength, I was referring to resonance characteristics, where MDF has the advantage over many materials. Besides, compression strength is the more important factor, which is why Magico and others use carbon fiber cabinets, not bamboo and aramid.
Best regards.