Life after Aerial 10Ts...

I had Aerial 10T's for about 5 years and found them mostly very satisfying.

If you want to maintain the full range capability, dynamics, and decent soundstaging of the Aerials but with a much more accurate and satisfying presentation, you might take a look at SP Technology. Anything from the TimePiece 3.0 to big Revelations will easily best the Aerials in most areas. If I could go a little over $10k used, the Vandersteen 5A's would be my first choice. I always wish I'd bought the Vandies, though I love my Merlin VSM-MX's, especially with modest tube amps. Many postings and reviews here on the merits of both.

Good luck!

Tom

9rw what speakers do you own?

I own the 10t's (see my systems) and I love them. I also own a pair of LR5 which you might like a bit better than the 10Ts. The LR5 are more effecient and sound a little brighter but in a good way. I am saving up for a pair of Watt Puppy 8's for my next speaker.I figure I will have the money in about 10 years, maybe sooner. There is a pair up here now for $ 18,000. They sound great and have a really nice small foot print. The Aerial 9's would also be a good speaker to consider. I like to purchase loundspeakers made in USA if possible (B&W 801's are nice though) and from a manufacturer that will support the speakers and not change models every week and not support older models (like Infinity)

Under 10k, true full range, and beautiful I would recommend listening to some of the Ushers.

Thanks 9rw. Since I've heard nothing but praise about the 10t's, I assumed the only pair I heard were broken.

I auditioned the 10T's about 5 years ago. I found them to have exaggerated upper midrange, as has been described above.

I ended up with Vandersteen 3A Signatures, which, with good amplification, is a speaker that I can highly recommend. It is much less than $10,000.00, even new. Excellent bass, smooth mids and highs. It's not lacking in any part of the sound spectrum and is capable of excellent soundstaging as well. Although not the most dynamic of the Vandersteen 3 series, it is more than adequate in that regard.

You can consider moving up within the Vandersteen line, as well. Vandersteen Quatros have consistently been given excellent reviews, although I haven't heard them. The Vandersteen 5's, the first time that I heard them with Ayre electronics blew me away, they were so good. Superb soundstaging and musicality and resolution. Since then, I have heard the 5's and 5A's at shows and have always been disappointed. Was it a problem with setup and component matching at the subsequent auditions? Probably.

The other speaker that I have heard that I like a lot is the Von Schweikert VR4 JR. Superb dynamics, superb imaging and soundstage, excellent detail and resolution, again, a smooth midrange and treble, and excellent bass -- particularly deep bass -- from a small footprint speaker. They run 2K-5.4K, depending on whether you buy new or used, Mk I or Mk II models. When the time is right and I have money for a bedroom system, I plan to buy a pair.