Magnepan 1.6QR Maybe the best value in speakers under $2k if they have enough bass for your tastes and the appropriate amp to drive them
B&W 704 which are just over $2k
Theil 1.6 also a little over $2k but worth it.
However if by playing loud you mean "LOUD" Check out the Klipsch products. They are well designed and sound good. Also because of their efficiency they will play louder than just about anything with a given amount of power.
I should have made it more clear, but I'm looking for bookshelf sized speakers, not really floorstanders. Also I already have a sub I want to use in this setup, so bass shouldn't really be an issue.
The same brands/series would still be good options, just different models. Minus the Magnepan of course.
I've also been really impressed by Amphion's bookshelf speakers. The amount of true bass that they can offer in a small foot print is truly impressive.
also I'm thinking of going with Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v4 speakers. They're only around $1,000 but everyone seems to love them. Unless you guys have any other specific recommendations.
Paradigm is a wonderful company that makes great products. They are one of the few speaker companies that build a speaker pretty much start to finish, including their own drivers and cabinets. I don't recall ever talking to someone who owned a Paradigm product that was less than happy with it. Their Reference series is outstanding, I've listened most of the models many times and have always been impressed.
I think ultimately you will be dissatisfied with that Velodyne sub and bookshelf loudspeakers in the $1000 to $2000 a pair range. First, the amplifier that Velodyne uses is sub par. Second, that Velodyne barely digs deeper than the speakers you might be considering. Third, do you really think a $150 sub is going to do justice to $2000 loudspeakers. Finally, there are subs with better low frequency extension that mate with loudspeakers better than the Velodyne. I'd look at SVS, Hsu or REL.
Quote: Unless you guys have any other specific recommendations.
Totem Rainmaker on T4S stands. http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1104totem/
If you are sure that you do not floorstanding speakers, then I would recommend the EOPS ELS-8 to you; they are very good speakers indeed, and you can buy them for about $600/pair, I believe.
I would recommend those speakers over most others under $1500, and you would have a substantial amount of money, say $1000, to invest in a better subwoofer.
By the way; you say you want "full range" speakers, but you don't want floorstanders; that is not possible. There ain't no such thing as a "full-range" bookshelf or stand-mounted speaker! If you are lucky, you can get one that goes down to maybe 50HZ, which is hardly "full-range".
I love love love my ProAc Response 1sc (around $2000) in one room and Response 2 (bought used for $1600) in another. The 1sc has recently been replaced by the Response D1: http://www.proac-loudspeakers.com/d1.php
By the way; you say you want "full range" speakers, but you don't want floorstanders; that is not possible. There ain't no such thing as a "full-range" bookshelf or stand-mounted speaker! If you are lucky, you can get one that goes down to maybe 50HZ, which is hardly "full-range".
While not quite "full range" some bookshelves go below 50hz. My ProAc bookshelf speakers go down to 35hz. There are others as well. They also go above 20khz. There are, of course, compromises along the way.
There are a number of good bookshelf speakers for $1000 or less.
The EPOS ELS-8 is great, as are the Paradigms you mentioned, and the PSB Image B25s.
Now dump that lousy VX10, which is a piece of junk, and buy the Velodyne SPL-1000R ($695 at Audio Advisor), and you will have a great-sounding setup for well under $2000!
I can only recommend some speakers at that price point to go audition.
Paradigm Studio 60
PSB Imagine T
Epos M16i
Triangle Altea EX
Revel Concerta F12
B&W 683
B&W CM7
DALI Ikon 6
The Vandersteen 2Ce Signature IIs at $2345 with stands are a little over your stated price but deserve attention.
Add my seconds to:
Paradigm
B&W
and add:
Magnepan 1.6QR Maybe the best value in speakers under $2k if they have enough bass for your tastes and the appropriate amp to drive them
B&W 704 which are just over $2k
Theil 1.6 also a little over $2k but worth it.
However if by playing loud you mean "LOUD" Check out the Klipsch products. They are well designed and sound good. Also because of their efficiency they will play louder than just about anything with a given amount of power.
I should have made it more clear, but I'm looking for bookshelf sized speakers, not really floorstanders. Also I already have a sub I want to use in this setup, so bass shouldn't really be an issue.
The same brands/series would still be good options, just different models. Minus the Magnepan of course.
I've also been really impressed by Amphion's bookshelf speakers. The amount of true bass that they can offer in a small foot print is truly impressive.
What make and model sub do you have?
Velodyne VX-10
also I'm thinking of going with Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v4 speakers. They're only around $1,000 but everyone seems to love them. Unless you guys have any other specific recommendations.
Paradigm is a wonderful company that makes great products. They are one of the few speaker companies that build a speaker pretty much start to finish, including their own drivers and cabinets. I don't recall ever talking to someone who owned a Paradigm product that was less than happy with it. Their Reference series is outstanding, I've listened most of the models many times and have always been impressed.
I think ultimately you will be dissatisfied with that Velodyne sub and bookshelf loudspeakers in the $1000 to $2000 a pair range. First, the amplifier that Velodyne uses is sub par. Second, that Velodyne barely digs deeper than the speakers you might be considering. Third, do you really think a $150 sub is going to do justice to $2000 loudspeakers. Finally, there are subs with better low frequency extension that mate with loudspeakers better than the Velodyne. I'd look at SVS, Hsu or REL.
Totem Rainmaker on T4S stands.
http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1104totem/
PSB Synchrony One B
If you are sure that you do not floorstanding speakers, then I would recommend the EOPS ELS-8 to you; they are very good speakers indeed, and you can buy them for about $600/pair, I believe.
I would recommend those speakers over most others under $1500, and you would have a substantial amount of money, say $1000, to invest in a better subwoofer.
By the way; you say you want "full range" speakers, but you don't want floorstanders; that is not possible. There ain't no such thing as a "full-range" bookshelf or stand-mounted speaker! If you are lucky, you can get one that goes down to maybe 50HZ, which is hardly "full-range".
I love love love my ProAc Response 1sc (around $2000) in one room and Response 2 (bought used for $1600) in another. The 1sc has recently been replaced by the Response D1: http://www.proac-loudspeakers.com/d1.php
While not quite "full range" some bookshelves go below 50hz. My ProAc bookshelf speakers go down to 35hz. There are others as well. They also go above 20khz. There are, of course, compromises along the way.
There are a number of good bookshelf speakers for $1000 or less.
The EPOS ELS-8 is great, as are the Paradigms you mentioned, and the PSB Image B25s.
Now dump that lousy VX10, which is a piece of junk, and buy the Velodyne SPL-1000R ($695 at Audio Advisor), and you will have a great-sounding setup for well under $2000!