Advice for bookshelf speakers


It is time for me to consider getting some new speakers and I'd like some advice.  This is a secondary system where I watch movies the majority of the time but I still like the speakers to sound good on those occasions when I listen to music. I need to replace my left, center and right.  The speakers I am replacing are KEF XQ1s and an XQ2C.  I can live with just a left and right if the manufacturer does not make a center channel.  These will be driven by an AVR, not separates and will have a sub to pick up the lower frequencies.  I have some WAF dimensions that need to be adhered to: 9"-10" from the back wall, no taller than 17" and the left and right tweeters will be 55" apart.  I would prefer there not to be a precise sweet spot since we sit in various areas on the oversize couch facing the speakers.  I'm not really too hung up on budget.  Somewhere between $2-4K total would be where I would like to be.

 

Given the above, I was thinking about sealed or front vented.  I don't think rear vented would be good for this situation but I could be wrong.  I have only done internet viewing and no listening.  I have looked at Salk's website and have also thought about ATC and ProAc.  I've also looked at Ascend (too narrow of a sweet spot?), Fritz (rear vent), Watkins Generation 4 (are these vented?) and others and just wanted to bounce it off this group. Thanks in advance.

dlm110

Forgot to mention before that the Usher Mini-X DMD speakers have a matching center with the same drivers including the diamond tweeter despite the misleading “BE” in the model name…

https://www.usheraudio.com.tw/portfolio-item/be-616/
But if it was me, the Mini-X is so good at imaging and dispersion I’d start with just the two front speakers and see how that works.  Unless you’ve got someone way off axis I can’t imagine the two stereo speakers not being more than fine.  Just filling in the gap of my info from before.  And again, best of luck. 

For your use I think Polk l200 or R200 would be a good choice. With a matching Polk center.

you might want to check out the XTZ Spirit 4 - checks all your boxes:  size, placement, sound - watch Andrew Robinson's review, he preferred them to the Buchardt S300, as do i - outstanding clarity & soundstage - they also have a matching center Spirit 8