[AmpDesigner333]

Looking for suggestions.

Preferably:
- medium efficiency (88-97dB)
- no need to be far from the back wall
- not gigantic
- no need for a sub
- smooth highs
- built to last
- able to deliver high SPL with low distortion
- high wife acceptance factor

[Freo-1]

At that price  range, would look at this:


https://www.vandersteen.com/products/model-2ce-signature-iii


It's slightly over 3k, but a well regarded speakers from a reputable manufacturer.

[AmpDesigner333]

At that price  range, would look at this:


https://www.vandersteen.com/products/model-2ce-signature-iii


It's slightly over 3k, but a well regarded speakers from a reputable manufacturer.

Really had to zoom in there....

[Freo-1]

Fixed.

[WGH]

Would 85 dB work?



BMR Monitors
Response +/- 3db    34Hz - 20kHz
$2595 per pair in a standard veneer
http://salksound.com/model.php?model=BMR+Monitors

Dennis Murphy, the BRM designer describes the BRM's sound:

Differences between Ellis 1801 and Philharmonic BMR monitors
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=171129.msg1811169#msg1811169

[WGH]

Fritz Carbon 7 SE MK2 - $2650/pr
88 dB

Fritz Satori 7.5 - $3000/pr
2 way monitor 7.5 Satori 89 dB midbass &
Carbon Fiber tweeter 16H x 9W x 12D

http://www.fritzspeakers.com/sound.asp

[WGH]

3 guys in our audiophile group bought these and like them a lot, probably the best $1000 speaker available today.

Zu Omen Dirty Weekend Mk.II with Clarity cap upgrade - $1100
Bandwidth: 35 ~ 25 kHz
Efficiency: 97 dB

https://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers

[NICKTENN]

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of chatter about these, may be something to look into...

EDIT* Lol, I Overlooked the not large and waf requirements.
Height 54"(137.16cm) x Width 12"(30.48cm) x Depth 17.75"(45.085cm)
Weight 118 lbs.



https://www.tektondesign.com/double-impact.html

[marvda1]

$100 less for gloss black and white.
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantventoref92dcchya/canton-vento-reference-9.2-dc-7-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-piano-cherry-pair/1.html

[OzarkTom]

A lot of people here like the Omegas and are very easy to drive. Decware has some interesting designs and Stave highly recommends a pair of Omegas for $2400.

[WGH]

One more:

The original Salk Songtower
http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=SongTower



Response +/- 3db    38 Hz - 20kHz
Sensitivity    88dB
Dimensions    44.5 H x 8 W x 12 D - small footprint, no stands required
$2195 per pair in black satin or white finish
$2395 per pair in a standard veneer
Magnetic grills are included with all Salk speakers

Salk speakers have the highest WAF of all the speakers mentioned so far. The veneer choices and color is unlimited, you can pick a custom veneer and still be below your $3000 budget. Better yet let your wife choose the veneer and color, they will then be her speakers.

The Songtower's can be front ported enabling them to be placed against the front wall. The transmission line design does not have boomy bass.

The RAAL tweeter in the Songtower RT ($2895 per pair in black satin or white finish) and Supercharged Songtower is sublime and one of the top 2 or 3 tweeters in the world but both speakers edge above your budget. The Supercharged Songtower has a true room filling 34 Hz response, a little smaller (less depth) but kills the budget at $3595 per pair in black satin or white finish or $3895 per pair in a standard veneer

[I.Greyhound Fan]

The new Wharfedale Evo 4.4 at $2000.  My son and I heard them at RMAF paired with Primare gear.  It was one of the best sounding rooms at the show.  The AMT folded ribbon tweeter is fabulous.  No fatigue or brightness.  The sound is very transparent and detailed. The sound stage is huge. It is bottom ported and it is very musical.  It has a crisp and clean sound with a hint of warmth. My son bought a pair and is selling his PSB Synchrony One's.  They perform way above their price point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMm--jnCpV4

https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/Wharfedale-EVO-44-Tower-Speakers

[Photon46]

KEF R7 or R700 serie speakers should meet all your stated requirements with the exception of efficiency, they're probably one Db less efficient than your goal. They and the Salk's are probably the front line competitors for fine finishes that fit in domestically. The KEF's ports can be tuned to work with varying distances from the rear wall which is a plus. Even though their list price is above your limit, Accessories4less.com sells them for 25-30% less than list and they're right at your $3k price point with discount. There's lots of competition at this price point for sure! 

[AmpDesigner333]

Thanks to all for the great suggestions!

Keep them coming!

Just a quick note....  The search is for speakers that can play loud without risk of damage.  By loud, I mean 110dB+ peak to the listener.  I typically use c-wt for measuring SPL at the listening position, by the way.  ....This means speakers with "little woofers" probably won't cut it.

Here's an easy-to-use SPL calculator:
https://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

As a reference, let's use KING Maraschino amplifiers, which can conservatively deliver 400Wpc into 4Ω (200W into 8Ω, 270W into 6Ω) in a 2-channel system.  With a "standard listening distance" of 8 feet, 4Ω speakers rated at 88dB, the KING Maraschinos will deliver >111dB SPL peak.

[oskar]

I would closely at the offerings of Tekton.
here's one:
https://www.tektondesign.com/electron-se.html

[HT cOz]

I would look to a two way built around the new Purifi Woofers.  See this link for a good idea of a well-developed kit.  https://hificompass.com/en/projects/2-way-systems/puri-bliss-bewg

I would then work with http://www.smjaudio.com/ on the cabinet build.  Alternatively, you could approach Rick Craig for some ideas within your budget goal.  I know he is also working with the Purifi woofers. 

[Freo-1]

Thanks to all for the great suggestions!

Keep them coming!

Just a quick note....  The search is for speakers that can play loud without risk of damage.  By loud, I mean 110dB+ peak to the listener.  I typically use c-wt for measuring SPL at the listening position, by the way.  ....This means speakers with "little woofers" probably won't cut it.

Here's an easy-to-use SPL calculator:
https://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

As a reference, let's use KING Maraschino amplifiers, which can conservatively deliver 400Wpc into 4Ω (200W into 8Ω, 270W into 6Ω) in a 2-channel system.  With a "standard listening distance" of 8 feet, 4Ω speakers rated at 88dB, the KING Maraschinos will deliver >111dB SPL peak.

The woofer issue is one of the primary reasons I recommended the Vandersteen. 

[WGH]

The search is for speakers that can play loud without risk of damage.  By loud, I mean 110dB+ peak to the listener.

110dB at an affordable price. EEK! We are headed into Cerwin Vega territory. 
JBL's are known to play loud but I am unfamiliar with their mid-priced speakers.

I do know that the big Legacy speakers like the Whisper can play 110db all day without breaking a sweat, and clearly too. I have heard Legacy speakers a few times at audio shows, they love to play the drum track off their demo disk. Register at Backstage to download a free music sampler disk with some of the most dynamic tracks you have ever heard. https://www.legacyaudio.com/backstage/

The Legacy Expression is above budget ($3245), maybe it follows the family tradition of loud and clean.
https://www.legacyaudio.com/products/view/expression/



Tweeter: 1" spiral neo ribbon
Midwoofer: 8" Silver / Graphite woven diaphragm, cast basket, phase compensation plug
Bass: 8" Silver / Graphite woven diaphragm, cast basket, phase compensation plug
Freq. Response (Hz, +/-2dB):    38-22k
Impedance:    4 Ohm
Sensitivity:    94 dB (2.83V @ 1m)
Dimensions: 38.5 x 10.75 x 10.75

There is a pair of older Legacy Focus speakers (retail $10,000) on eBay for $3000 Buy It Now. They are the opposite of "not gigantic" but what the hell.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333330279410

[Freo-1]

I had a pair of Legacy Signature III's for a couple of years.  It would go deep and play loud, BUT, it wasn't the best sounding mid-range.  The crossovers in those were absolute crap, cheap as chips parts.  Pretty disappointing. 


If loud and clean is what one is after, may as well look at used Klipsch K-Horns or LaScala.  Once the crossovers are re-built, they can actually sound decent. 

[Chris Adams]

These might do it for you if they are not to big: https://www.tektondesign.com/double-impact.html

I heard the Double Impacts and purchased Tekton Ulfberhts because I was sold. I was comparing the Double Impacts with Klipsch LaScalas. Not only were the Double Impacts smoother with deeper bass but much easier to listen to for long periods of time.