Speakers - Your "Safest" Choice

@gnoworyta Please dont get me wrong, but if you are not listening (or caring for ) the unamplified acoustic music (classical or jazz) you really do not need sophisticated or complex speakers that might cost 20k. Now, I do not want to sound arrogant and of course you may buy any speaker you like and listen to what ever makes you happy on it, but if we are speaking on 'hi fi terms', you can obtain same quality of reproduction, for (rock) music, for much, much less.

Furthermore, imho, if you are spending 20k on speakers, the rest of your system, without cables, should cost around 50k at least. Again, you might use R.Royce to pick up your groceries and thats perfectly fine, but for simple pleasure of hearing your favorite rock or pop music, that is overkill

+1.5 for Volti Rivals! (. 5 for the Razz). I really enjoy mine! Of course, it’s a matter of taste. If you value the utmost in hyper detailed, bat worthy high frequency extension & a highly mirror, polished statuesque pieces of furniture, then many of the fine speakers mentioned would work well. If you value, imo, music that sounds close to live w/ outstanding dynamics, full bodied sound not requiring heroic amplification, check out Volti. 

I recently asked a similar question.  The brands that kept coming to the top of the list were Joseph, Magico, Borresen, and I do think the Revel Ultima noted above fits here also.  

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-speaker-could-safely-be-ordered-without-hearing-it-first

Pre owned is a great recommendation.  Speakers come down to personal preference and advice on speakers is almost always colored by the preferences of whoever is giving the advice.  Electronica and room acoustics also play a big role as well.  Spending 20 k on speakers you haven’t heard seems crazy unless you have a trial period. 
 

I’ve had Focal, Alta Audio and Omega speakers.  You’ll find a loyal following for all of them, they all have a unique sound signature, dans if one are not likely fans of the others but that doesn’t mean that are all not great speakers.  
 

Good Luck! 

@gnoworyta 

Your post (question) sounds like a fishing expedition to me.  Particularly the "If one had a budget of $20K max".  Not being snarky. 

My advice is to get a map and spend a good while, days at least, and mark all the audio stores that are within striking distance by car.  Exhaust those stores and then go flying to get to the next level.

The best advice above is to go to the Florida show, which includes another great piece from above. Spend $1k on your search and $19K on speakers.

Regards,

barts