Which speakers give the best sound to cost? 2 way or 3 way? In 3 price ranges, under $2,000, under
$5,000 and under $10,000. Which ones in each price range? I’m only asking which ones sound better not which look better or are better built. Thanks
Let's say that it is easy to grade a speaker (any product) up to a 9/10 grade. After that "the best" must be your very personal and very subjective pick/choice.
However, in that 9/10 class of products you would find a wide range not just a single brand/model of speakers. That range has been covered over a number of threads here, you should snoop around somewhat.
For example, as a general rule, you stand better chances with bookshelves under 2k. Also, your chances might increase with Internet Direct and reliable brands like Revel, RBH, KEF, JBL, Klipsch, certain Definitive Technology models etc. Which is best is for you to say.
With 5k you can enter the realm of some solid towers (I assume you mean 5k a pair, if it's 5k a piece even more so). At 5k a pair you also start to see a proverbial "state of the art" bookshelves.
But even if you were to precisely describe what you mean by "best sound", we could hardly be more accurate than this. It is different for different rooms, different uses, different SPL, music styles, ones preferences.
You could get some recommendations for you to listen to and test, nothing more.