Quote Originally Posted by ChrisG
This group has been very helpful. After considering all of the comments and advice, I've decided to start simply with two main speakers and possibly a sub, if necessary. I've found a couple of good choices and I'm trying to decide between them.

One is the Vandersteen 3a Signature speaker pair which is available for $2K and the other is a Thiel 3.6 pair which is selling for $1800, both pairs used, of course. The Vandersteen's are in mint condition. So, even though the prices are at the upper end of my budget at this time, the reviews and comments from forum members have led me in this direction.

Thanks again to all of you,
Chris (SF East Bay)
Have you given those speakers a listen? Definitely do, because these are among the more polarizing speaker brands on the market.

The Vandys and the Thiels are very much a hit-or-miss option. Similar design approaches, but different tonal characteristics. The Vandersteens (which I have heard) are probably the best imaging conventional driver speakers I've heard, and their center speaker does an outstanding job at timbre matching with the mains. Yet, they have a sound that I would best describe as perplexing -- some things are standout great, other things just make me scratch my head. Vandersteen though has a very dedicated following, and does too many things exceptionally well to discount them outright. But, be aware that they are definitely not for everyone.

I've not heard the Thiels, but some people have described them as having a bright sound (which is very different from the Vandys). Again, this is another speaker that has a very knowledgeable and dedicated following, and some equally vocal detractors. Best to give you ears the final verdict, rather than relying on hearsay and recommendations as the final arbiter.