Deciding on the right huge speaker

Pick the dealer and then pick the speaker. At this price level a good dealer will visit your house, assess your listening room and then recommend the appropriate speaker and accessories (acoustic treatments, power amps, cabling, etc.). Rather than focus on the speaker of your dreams, try to seek out the best music setup. Paradoxically, they're not the same thing. For instance, you may desire a certain speaker, say the SF Amati Homage, but the only available dealer is a low-life idiot who refuses or is incapable of optimizing your post-purchase listening experience. You could purchase the Amatis and on your own try to get them right. Who knows, you might be able to attain 80-85% of their ultimate performance. Alternatively, there could be an outstanding Avalon dealer available who will really work for you on a purchase. Regardless of which speaker is objectively the better speaker, you'll attain a better listening experience with the Avalon purchase. Hopefully, there are enough good dealers available to you to give you a meaningful choice. Good luck!

Already some great responses here. I agree with Kirk on the JM Lab and Soundlab, and with Chazzbo on the Maggie MG 20's. I would add (used) Audio Artistry Beethoven, I think they are no longer made, but were EXCELLENT.

Last CES I heard a Dutch speaker called the Kharma, don't know if they have a $30K model, but the $75K one at The Show was superb. Avalon is another choice in this price range and even the newly improved Quad speakers.

I am forgetting some great ones, but if Kirk (our post master) can listen to as many of these choices as possible before investing, the education process will make his choice self evident.

I would first and foremost research the dealerships in the U.S. that handle the speakers I wanted (Avalon, Kharma, Pipedreams...can't resist throwing in my favs) and have them available with the electronics you know and like, and in good sound rooms. Then make some appointments, buy airline tickets, and go and do the comparisons yourself. You are likely to find yourself at some of the larger Eastern shops that have several of your speakers available, with your electronics, and you will get good treatment this way.
Also, at this price level, many dealers will not only ship to you but will also come to your home (even on the other coast!) to help setup. The majority of dealers who handle dream-level speakers have customers all over the country and are used to this process.
Good luck.

Agree completely with AlbertPorter on the Audio Artistry Beethoven's. Its sad that this wonderful speaker is no longer made. You might just consider a diy product with a similar design, available from the designer's website (www.linkwitzlab.com).

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