Which speakers?

If you don't listen too loudly, anythign from Spica is hard to beat. I still have my TC50s in my bedroom system, and have tried a number of expensive speakers in my main system. Everything else I tried was a trade-off (better bass, dynamics, less natural)with the TC50s until I got a pair of $23,000 Ascendo System Zf3s. Even though the Ascendos are better in every way, I still enjoy listenign to the Spicas.

This has been interesting and informative. Thanks all so far! Keep 'em coming. I must admit I had not considered head phones. They would require substantial volume since I don't think I could use them with my hearing aides. Also would require individual voulme adjustments to compensate for uneven hearing loss on each side.
I would still like to go with a speaker the size of the Paradigm S8's, probably because that is what I am used to.
My current listeners are an old pair of Infinity 3009's that still sound great. Just thinking that the technonlogy has improved in the 15 years or so since I got them and it may be catch up time. Again keep the help coming!!!
THanks. Jim

Jim, it would be helpful to know if you are looking for stand mount or floor standing speakers.

In any case, I suggest you focus on speakers that will thrill you in the middle, I.E. speakers with good tone, timbre and a lifelike midrange. Musical-ness over hifi effects and shimmering high notes. The speakers that come to mind off the bat given your musical tastes and my suggestion to look for great mdirange and musical presentation are Harbeths - but they are fairly dear.

An economical substitute to Harbeth's could be Magnapan MMG (power hungry), Silverline Minuet Supreme (small), or anything from Rega (stand mount or floorstanders). Paradigm's budget lines are very good, although for the money I prefer the low end "Monitor" line and the high end "Signature" line over the current crop of "Studio" line speakers - but maybe my predjudice is based on poor system matching or set up at the dealer where I auditioned them.

You didn't say if you were looking for larger or smaller speakers, but good bass is something you can appreciate, even if your hearing aint what it used to be, as the room and your chest are pressurized by a large pipe organ, vigourous kick drum strike, low upright bass note or the lowest piano register. Paradigm Monitor 9's or 11's or Rega 5's would sound great and provide at least part of the lower octives that round out jazz and classical performances.

For a second system you might want to consider a pair of powered speakers like the Audioengine 5. I find find them to be very good for that role and with just a cd player you are all set.

not knowing anything about your hearing would it be worthwhile to consider good headphones? you could control the environment better and keep outside noise out. cheaper as well.

I agree Triangle should be a very good choice for someone who has hearing difficulties. They are easy to drive, exceptionally clean, crisp, clear balanced and spacious top to bottom .

You would enjoy the Triangle Celius, or even maybe more so the less expensive Altea. Very open, natural top to bottom presentation.

For largely classical, instrumental, and jazz I would look at the Alon speakers that come up for sale here. They are so cheap but have a very musical sound, open, airy, with good bass. They are also very dynamic and sound very good with a cheap NAD SS power amp or a high end tube amp. Cannot go wrong for the used prices.

Happy Listening.

When I was young I asked a gentleman in his (gasp) fifties, why he preferred electrostatics to dynamic speakers, since his hearing was no longer excellent.
He replied that his sight too was not so good, but that glare still bothered him.
Now I am in my late sixties and see (hear) his point. Make no assumptions, listen for yourself, then go with what you enjoy. Many of us with less than perfect hearing still prefer the type of equipment we enjoyed when we were young. I do hope it is not merely nostalgia.