Vandersteen-like "In-between" speakers

In response to Newbee, these are a few things I like about the 3A'a.

They seem to get the soundstage and imaging right like the level of voices and positioning of instruments. But, this might be due more to positioning and placement.(?)

They have very tight but not "bloaty" bass, at least in my room.

The highs are detailed without being hard. This is something that might be a plus when using with any SS amp.

I find they are very detailed and musical at low volume levels. Many times I listen in mid-evening when my kids are doing homework and cannot turn the crank up too much. Some speakers I have heard are weak at low volume.

I have to say that Sdcampbell makes a very attractive statement when it is said that less emphasis on cabinets equals more sound for the money.

No speakers better for another $3K seems that there must be a big void in this price range. Do others agree?

I have not even considered electrostatic speakers.

The new Vandy speaker mentioned in Swklein's post above is the Vandersteen Reference Monitor that Richard V. has been working on for several years. It has been shown before at several audio shows. The speaker is essentially the top half of the Model 5/5A, without the subwoofer. Last fall, I had a chance to talk with Richard V. when he was doing a presentation at my local Vandy dealer, and he said that he was not ready to start manufacturing the "Reference" because he wasn't totally satisfied with some aspects of its performance. The prototype that I saw of this speaker certainly looked promising, but because it will lack the low-frequency response of the larger floor-standers, it may not appeal to everyone.

I love how people think you can improve so much over the 3A Signatures with more money or whatever. What are you improving on. Just because something sounds "Different" doesn't mean it is "Better." The 3A Signatures are a proven accurate speaker. You will not find a more accurate speaker at anywhere near this price period! Slam me all you want---but you want! Of course some want the colorations of something else that better suits them which is fine. No, the Vandersteen's aren't perfect but they are not going to be a speaker you will want to unload in a few months. The time aligned and phase correct design allows these speakers to invite you into the music, not have it thrown at you.
I will agree with the above poster, add a pair of Vandersteen 2Wq subs to the 3A Signatures. It will run you about $6500.
Richard Hardesty in the "Audioperfectionist Journal" described the 3A Signatures as a $8000 speaker in plain wrapping. No fancy cabinet (the main cost of high priced speakers) but with the finest internal parts available.
Here is a man that could own whatever he wanted and chose Vandersteen 3A Signatures with the 2Wq subs as his reference. Doug Blackburn uses the same system over on Soundstage. Both have stated that the Vandersteen 5's offer about a 10% improvement over this combo. The 3A Sig uses the same tweeter and midrange but the 5's drivers are "Cherry picked" from the best of the lot.
Where are you going to get a speaker that has a full frequency spectrum from 30hz-20khz + or - 1.2db, 26hz-30khz + or - 3db and is matched at 6 different frequencies within + or - 0.1db with the reference model in the lab and within 0.1 db of each other in the matched pair(as sold)? And that is just the beginning. Look at the waterfall plot, time domain and any other relevent spec. you want and then tell me these speakers aren't accurate.
But, you know, some people aren't blown away by accurate because an accurate speaker has a tendency not to impress unless you live with them a while.
One last note, I believe the new Vandersteen speaker is going to be a monitor. He has shown it at shows for a while now.

The 3A's may be just the speaker for you - based on your approval of low volume performance and detailed but not hard, highs. Quality speakers in your price range should not introduce a bass bloat problem not inherent in your room itself, and the imaging has as much to do with placement and electronics as anything (albeit a very revealing/transparent speaker that is properly matched and set up can be a glorious thing to hear). If you get speakers that are more detailed/transparent than the 3A's, such as the Quad's or the Thiels (for example) you may have much more problem with proper amplification and room set up. I'm not dis'ing the Mac's, just suggesting that your appreciation of your electronics can change vastly when you get more revealing speakers. A speaker in your price range that is very Quad like in sound, that is not as room placement and amplification sensitive, is the Gradient Revolution - well reviewed and appreciated, even though its not well known or popular (do some on line research on it). Personally, were I you, I'd spend my extra money on some good music and enjoy the 3A's.