best 5-20K speakers for high-end tube amp?

Do not buy the Avantgardes unless you are looking for high detail, transparency and speed in the upper octaves, with possible mild harshness also. The Mid range is very good but lacks the tonal warmth, soundstaging and solidity of imaging brought by paper cones. The bass is in a word despite modifications AWFUL.

As an example,of design flaws in this model. If you change the interconnects supplied by Avantgarde even with 10 buck ones you will get dramatic improvements - same with the internal wiring. Doesnt make sense does it?
Luke

Avantgarde Duos have never sounded crappy in my experience no matter what set up you have. They are alive dynamic and electric. But they ultimately fail in delivering good quality bass or natural tonality that robs the music from a lot of its beauty.

Hi been away.

Sold my Avantgarde Duos and bought a pair of Hyperion 938, my budget was $15000 but got these as an interim prurchase for $4000. Never regretted selling the Avantgardes once. Suddenly I had bass I had TONAL COLOURS with great inner detail NOT JUST WARMTH. A soundstage was suddenly once again apparent. It was quite plainly very involving musically. I owned the Avantgardes for two years so I did like them. Had valve amps, solid state amps had the Jadis JA 80's etc. No way does it compare to a good cone design.

Exiting and can be electrifying when set up right, but not a great all rounder and not the most natural sounding by a long margin in my opinion.

If you want it to be electrifying dyanmic and exciting you have to give up a little of the tonal riches which to me make music special. You use a Jadis and yes you get warmth but you lose transparency and a little of the electrifying presence. Their bass is one of the worse I have come across from any speaker and I have owned which include Audio Physic Avantis, Harbeths, Quads, etc.

Just look at the two two intermnet reviewers Steve roachlin and Sjragen, I believe they have both given up their duos for paper cones.