Looking for new speakers

Your list of speakers is great. I have heard all except the Joseph Audio's and liked each I listened to. The Devore idea is also a sound choice. While from an aesthetic perspective I like the Totems and Dynaudios best (and of course, this is highly subjective). Of the speakers I have heard, I guess I could say that the Totems are going to be a little hotter in the high end and the Spenders a little rolled off with the Epos, Dynaudios and Devores somewhere in between. Warning, if buying new, the Dynaudios will take a month of Sundays to break in fully.

Ultimately it is very difficult to tell you what you are going to like best in your listening room with your gear. My suggestion is that you look for nice copies of these used here on Agon and buy the first one that comes available. Try it in your home with your system and keep if you like it. If you aren't fully satisfied and paid a fair price, you will likely be able to sell and replace for the price of shipping.

Great choice! The M16i is one of my favorite speakers in that price range.

I like the Ushers, but I prefer the Epos. The M16i's are more balanced and integrated across the entire spectrum they reproduce, they just sound right while providing ample detail and space. They have a great tweeter, closer to Usher's more expensive Be-718 than the X-718 in my opinion. According to Stereophile's Robert Reina "High-frequency transients were incredibly fast, but never sounded etched or sharp." I agree completely. The specifications say the Usher's go lower and I seem to recall they have very good bass response for a stand mount, but they both crap out in the 40's and would benefit from a good subwoofer.

Your amp should be able to drive both to happy places, but it is going to have an easier time and go louder with the Epos. If the price difference is a critical factor, then the Ushers may be the ticket. Just remember you will have to buy some good stands to get the most out of them, negating much of the price difference.

I at least will agree with Rbstehno that the cp-6311's are very good. But weight isn't the only consideration when it comes to evaluating or enjoying speakers. As for halving prices, you are talking used versus new, apples and oranges. A new pair of CP-6311's are $2100. It is difficult to find the Epos used because they are a fairly new model and people aren't parting quickly with the ones they have.

I have not compared the Epos directly to the Ushers, but I have compared them to well respected models from Naim, Totem and Rega, and the Epos stood up very well in that company. I also have compred the Ushers to Rega speakers, so have some common currency.

I think it is a matter of taste. I would say the Ushers have a nice, smooth treble and mid-range, and strong bass (more so with the CP-6311). In contrast, the Epos has a very well integrated sound from lower mid bass to upper highs, with (to me) a sophisticated view into the details and timing of the original performance. So IMO, both pairs of Ushers sound nice, while the Epos draw me in.