Well Peter, you have a big room to fill. You also listen to a very wide genre of music. Finally there are many good tower speakers to choose from at $1500 pair. So finding a pair can be done.
But where to begin? You now have been given three different brands to think about. In a few days the list could get up to twenty brands. Will you be any closer to finding the right speaker for you or simply knowing what everyone else has or wants to have?
I would suggest you start getting educated and then audition several different types of speakers; not necessarily brands to narrow down a short list of contenders. Then you come on the forum and ask about 3 or 4 specific models that will meet your needs. Actual owners will then tell what they think and why. Start the process by asking yourself these questions...
1. Do I buy front ported or rear ported? If front ported, you will have more flexibility in room placement. If rear ported, can you place them one to three feet from the rear walls. Rear ports too close to rear walls can result in boomy bass and not what the speaker designer intended.
2. Whats the room like? Carpet or hardwood floors? Are there a lot of reflective surfaces? This may dictate whether you look for a bright, lively sounding speaker or a smooth, warm, laid back speaker.
3. Is my 100 watt receiver 4 Ohm stable? Will it drive a pair a 4 ohm speakers with sensitivity in the mid to high 80's? If not, you may have to limit yourself to 8 ohm speakers with sensivity ratings in the low to mid 90's. Nothing wrong with either - just know what you can comfortably drive. Especially in your large room.
4. What kind of drivers do I like, especially the tweeters? The smooth, laid back sound of a soft dome? The lively, bright sound of a metal dome or ribbon? How about a compression horn that can get very loud and clear?
Think about all above and then audition several models that meet your listening preferences, room and amplification needs. You'll be on your way to finding the right speaker for you and not what we like. I guarantee you my room, listening preferences and electronics are very different from yours. So is everyone else. Good luck.
But where to begin? You now have been given three different brands to think about. In a few days the list could get up to twenty brands. Will you be any closer to finding the right speaker for you or simply knowing what everyone else has or wants to have?
I would suggest you start getting educated and then audition several different types of speakers; not necessarily brands to narrow down a short list of contenders. Then you come on the forum and ask about 3 or 4 specific models that will meet your needs. Actual owners will then tell what they think and why. Start the process by asking yourself these questions...
1. Do I buy front ported or rear ported? If front ported, you will have more flexibility in room placement. If rear ported, can you place them one to three feet from the rear walls. Rear ports too close to rear walls can result in boomy bass and not what the speaker designer intended.
2. Whats the room like? Carpet or hardwood floors? Are there a lot of reflective surfaces? This may dictate whether you look for a bright, lively sounding speaker or a smooth, warm, laid back speaker.
3. Is my 100 watt receiver 4 Ohm stable? Will it drive a pair a 4 ohm speakers with sensitivity in the mid to high 80's? If not, you may have to limit yourself to 8 ohm speakers with sensivity ratings in the low to mid 90's. Nothing wrong with either - just know what you can comfortably drive. Especially in your large room.
4. What kind of drivers do I like, especially the tweeters? The smooth, laid back sound of a soft dome? The lively, bright sound of a metal dome or ribbon? How about a compression horn that can get very loud and clear?
Think about all above and then audition several models that meet your listening preferences, room and amplification needs. You'll be on your way to finding the right speaker for you and not what we like. I guarantee you my room, listening preferences and electronics are very different from yours. So is everyone else. Good luck.