I have owned both 2c and 2ce and liked both. They can sound a little "heavy" depending on amp, cables and placement. If you're using tubes, you need a very revealing, somewhat forward sounding speaker cable to work synergistically.
Finding anything new for $1500 to beat them may be difficult, especially if you're driving them with tubes.
Used: I would suggest auditioning Spendor SP-1, Proac Response 1.5 or possibly Vienna Acoustic Mozart. A planar speaker like Magnapan, Quad or Eminent Tech will give you a different sound, if they work in your room and budget.
Finding anything new for $1500 to beat them may be difficult, especially if you're driving them with tubes.
Used: I would suggest auditioning Spendor SP-1, Proac Response 1.5 or possibly Vienna Acoustic Mozart. A planar speaker like Magnapan, Quad or Eminent Tech will give you a different sound, if they work in your room and budget.