Life after Aerial 10Ts...

If you like the Aerial sound, which it sounds like you do, at least listen to the 9's. From the posts above, it sounds like you might also listen to some others, and the Usher's might be a good value.

Weiserb: I own Von Schweikert VR-4Sr. and Dunlavy SC-II. I've also owned the Dunlavy SC-IV/A -- and probably two dozen others (Totem, Vandersteen, Quad, Snell, KEF, B&W, etc.) I wish I had kept the big Dunlavys. For less than $9k I've heard nothing better.They are, however, huge and intrusive-looking. For the money, a lot of people wanted something more exotic, which is probably one reason Dunlavy didn't survive.

The recommendation for Quads is a good one. If you have the right room and associated equipment, they are killer. I've also heard the Wilsons and Andras sound fantastic. The truth is that there are lots of really good speakers. Just find one you like. It doesn't have to be your last speaker. That's part of the fun of this hobby.

One has it as "exaggerated treble and bass", while another has it as "exaggerated upper midrange". Maybe the issue is not with the speakers but with the listener? Notice how no one ever mentions what recording(s) were used in the audition, how long the audition lasted and whether they were in an acoustic environment they knew.

My only recommendation to the initial poster is to do an evaluation of any speaker he is contemplating by himself in a known environment, where he can relax and play records he knows, with associated equipment that remains constant.

All the rest is merely verbiage.

Have you listened to the Eggleston speakers? They have a sound that you might find appealing. You might be able to pick up a used pair of Andras in your price range. They are diefinitely in the same full range as the 10t. What about a pair of B&W 803D? Take a listen.

A good friend of mine replaced his Aerial 10Ts with the Andra Is, and he has not regretted it.