Regarding your request for speaker suggestions, what might be helpful is some feedback on what you liked and disliked about the various speakers you've already auditioned. Also, should we assume your indicated price range is what you want to spend on speakers? Are you open to purchasing used?
Reason I ask (and disclaimer) - I have a pair of Magnepan 3.5r's - which are physically similar to their current $4,500 list model but fall into the sub-$2K range used. I also listened to Paradigm, B&W and Thiel and far preferred the Maggies. But that's just me.
The speakers you mention all have significant differences in strengths and weaknesses. Not to mention that planars (i.e., Maggie, Martin Logan, Quad ESL, etc.) and dynamics will present acoustic music with quite different results.
If you could elucidate on your audition experience, it might help us make some more informed suggestions for your continuing audition.
As a point of reference, I would note the larger Maggies are an order of magnitude better for large scale orchestral and choral than the smaller 1.6QR's you may have auditioned. As well as, IMHO, the other brand's models you probably heard.
Reason I ask (and disclaimer) - I have a pair of Magnepan 3.5r's - which are physically similar to their current $4,500 list model but fall into the sub-$2K range used. I also listened to Paradigm, B&W and Thiel and far preferred the Maggies. But that's just me.
The speakers you mention all have significant differences in strengths and weaknesses. Not to mention that planars (i.e., Maggie, Martin Logan, Quad ESL, etc.) and dynamics will present acoustic music with quite different results.
If you could elucidate on your audition experience, it might help us make some more informed suggestions for your continuing audition.
As a point of reference, I would note the larger Maggies are an order of magnitude better for large scale orchestral and choral than the smaller 1.6QR's you may have auditioned. As well as, IMHO, the other brand's models you probably heard.