Picking speakers 3000-5000 budget

@twangy57 you’re welcome if any of that was helpful to you. I totally understand that getting on the road again to Chicago must feel like a full blown busman’s holiday.

I’d also like to acknowledge that it is awkward these days to go to a showroom of increasingly stressed brick and mortar audio stores to take advantage of their time, space and gear with the main intent being to educate your ears on what’s currently available, and then with all likelihood walking out empty handed determined to take what you learned and apply it to an online or private party purchase.  It was a bit awkward 15 years ago, and it is even more awkward with the increasing dominance of online venders.  Visiting an audio expo is an alternative but only available once a year if you’re lucky enough to have one in an area nearby.

From my experience, assessing the sound signature of any piece of gear based on YouTube videos is not that helpful.  I usually laugh at myself when I try to do this knowing that I have now added the deficiency of the microphone and ADC used, Internet signal compression and noise, and the unique sonic characteristics of my system playing in my room on top of the sound signature of the gear on review.  If you have access to a decent headphone set up, you can reduce the number of variables at play, but you will also likely lose some meaningful portrayal of soundstage if that is preserved and important to you since that is not really a headphone thing.  But when shopping for gear in the price range you’re looking at, differences between speakers and amps can be subtle, and I assume the pieces under consideration are more capable than what you’re currently using to play then back with.  Evaluating those subtleties is I think the whole point. My take only here, YMMV.

In light of all this, perhaps it is just best to buy and try in your place, even if speakers and amps are a hassle to ship and shlep in and out of the house.  In all seriousness, I wish you the best of luck in your search and will be curious to continue hearing about your journey and your destination.

kn

PS  +1 for Aerial Acoustics speakers.

@knownothing I feel like something has to change. You can't buy stuff blindly (deafly). Ordering gear I only read about, sending it back, having 50 pound boxes travel 1000s of miles so that I can figure out if I like it seems inefficient. Showrooms are not just for dealers but also for the audio companies to show off. I know they don't invest in the dealers, other than letting them profit but I also understand how dealers don't want you to test equipment without the intention of buying from them. 

This impedes and hurts everyone's interest. 

knownothing

Yes,as far as driving,I try to avoid it.

I bought a old convertible last year and spent a sizable chunk of change fixing it up.

I drove it around a lot the first months or so last summer and haven't even thought about driving yet this year.Maybe when it gets hot out.

All things considered,I have been satisfied with what I have now for 25 years and I’am sure any of the speakers that folks have suggested will be a nice improvement.

Thanks for your insight.

I’m partial to Harbeth’s ..crystal clear . I own the 30.1’s (in your range) and the 40.3XD’s .

tommypenngotti

I have heard those,only on you tube but they sound nice.

I think I'am buying a pair of Dynaudio Focus 360's.

The price is right and I really do like them.

Thanks