I went through the same decision making process a couple of years ago. I was happy with my original Von Schweikert VR-4s which I had purchased new over 25 years prior. I was concerned that I’d spend money on new speakers and not end up with something better.
I called around the local shops and didn’t come up with anything that I thought I’d like. I decided to stay with Von Schweikert since I liked what I had. I spoke to them about their new Model One and asked if it would be noticeably better. They said it would be, so I bought a pair.
No regrets at all. I kept my VR-4s and will let my son have them when he has space for them.
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I would just go out auditioning. See if you are seduced by some other speakers There has been huge jumps in speaker technology. So, it should not be hard. Should be fun planning a few short trips... maybe some to local audiophile’s homes.
For me, after over thirty years with planar speakers. I started sampling all acoustic venues for music... single piano... small jazz. Then ten years 7th row center of the symphony and the result was I realized that my system did an incredible job of bringing out the details of the venue and the recording, could sound spectacular for certain pieces... but the emotional connection was gone. I’d get bored and go do something else after 45 minutes. I realized I had taken a wrong turn along the way. I found Sonus Faber Speakers and optimized my electronics. I haven’t lost the details, but got the music back and emotional connections. The details are presented in the properly perspective. I now have a music system. Now I have to drag myself away after two or three hours of listening. Well worth the effort.
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Talk me off the ledge or should I jump?
Jump! If you provide specifics about what sound characteristics are most important to you and what you especially like about your speakers and what you’d like to improve upon you’ll get some very good recommendations here that will help narrow things down considerably. Then I’d read reviews and travel to some dealers and/or an audio show or two to hear the ones that sound most promising. You’ve got some nice equipment and speakers have come a long way over the past 38 years, so although I know it’s uncomfortable by all means jump! And best of luck.
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Do you go to the same kind of restaurant every time?
Variety is the spice of life. Why not try new speakers? I have a couple different sets that I like to swap in and out. That is why this hobby is a hobby. Variation, play, new experiences are all part of the fun.
Some people see buying a speaker (or other component) like getting a mortgage: shop around, buy it, and be done for 30 years.
I see it more like going on vacations or restaurants: mixing things up leads to new experiences.
I have a friend with a boat. He spends a lot on that thing and every trip with it spends money he can never get back -- but he's not looking at each trip as an "investment" but as an experience. Thinking of audio components with just a little bit of this spirit may free your hand (and conscience) a bit.
Go head: be a libertine. We won't tell.
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Well, no one could accuse you of jumping from one speaker to the next and yes, you certainly have recovered your money's worth of enjoyment out of this speaker.
As you suggested, the only way you will be able to really judge a new speaker is in your own home. So hold onto your old speakers and bring in a few potential replacements. Should be a pretty easy call.
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I agree with the others that you should take the leap. You have a very nice system that would shine with something newer. If you want to play it relatively safe, try some of the new KEF Reference line. If you can get to AXPONA in April, that is a good place to get a a feel for what is out there, maybe a brand or two will strike your fancy and you can then pursue some auditions.
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+1 @hilde45 Try a new speaker. Keep the KEFs.
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I appreciate the responses and the thoughtful feedback. The consensus appears to be to take the leap. 
@sls883 Interested in what differences you noticed in moving from the VR-4's to the VS Model Ones?
@ghdprentice Sounds like we have similar tastes in sound and I agree that we tend to migrate to musically involving vs analytical speakers over time. SF is on my short list.
@soix I value a big soundstage, imaging, tonal accuracy, musical involvement vs the ultimate in detail and resolution, Having said that, my KEF's are a little lacking in high frequency air/transparency and perhaps a little TOO polite.
@grislybutter I've referenced this list before.  Thanks for putting it together and sharing.
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No you are not crazy. I had the exact speakers but decided to move on years ago. I think you just need to find something that will fill the gap you are missing or what sound you are trying to achieve. The two extremes will be more analytical to romantic (in gross terms) and of course your budget.
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@goose Appreciate the comments from a previous R107 owner. They were a good speaker in their day. The crossover and wiring upgrades I did with mine improved resolution and transparency, but they are still on the overly polite (romantic) side of the spectrum.
Curious, what did you move on to from your KEF's and what was your experience?
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I value a big soundstage, imaging, tonal accuracy, musical involvement vs the ultimate in detail and resolution, Having said that, my KEF’s are a little lacking in high frequency air/transparency and perhaps a little TOO polite.
Given that I’d put the Joseph Audio Perspective 2/Profile, ProAc K3/D48/D30, Vandersteen Treo/Quatro, Sonus Faber Maxima Amator/Olympica Nova, Usher ML801/802 (or even the Mini Two), and QLN Prestige 5 or 3 high on your list for speakers to hear. Best of luck.
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The VR-4 are a great speaker for the money. I think I paid $3500 for them around 28 years ago. Their huge soundstage was what I was most afraid of losing when I changed speakers. The Model One also has that, but better imaging, clarity, and separation of instruments. I think it’s fair to say that it’s better in every respect, but it’s a much more expensive speaker. The VR-4s have deeper bass, but not as tight.
Von Schweikert’s design philosophy is accurate reproduction of the music sent to them. It does that in spades. Excellent detail, but not at all sibilant in my system. If your hardware is sibilant, you’ll hear it.
My son is a musician and he’s done some recording, so he’s a geek about recording techniques, mastering, etc. The other night, he and his former bandmate spent a lot of time listening to recordings to analyze the recording. I kept wanting to play recordings that I knew sounded good, but they wanted to listen to popular music to analyze the recording quality. It was interesting.
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@soix Thanks for the suggestions. QLN and Joseph Audio Pearl/Perspective were already on my short list, (The new QLN Reference 9 that was introduced at Axpona last year is excellent) I'll research your other suggestions.
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Ah, didn’t know your price range so going up the line in all the brands I mentioned where applicable would obviously be even better. Given your potentially higher price range I’d add Rockport to the list, and I neglected to mention Wilson that should be in there too.
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My dilemma is twofold. I still think my speakers sound great in many ways. They are musically involving and still dazzle me on occasion. They have some weak points as do ALL speaker designs.
I value a big soundstage, imaging, tonal accuracy, musical involvement vs the ultimate in detail and resolution, Having said that, my KEF’s are a little lacking in high frequency air/transparency and perhaps a little TOO polite.
@dmiller01 You could get some PEQ and salvage the situation a bit... bump it up with suitable Q in approx frequency range shown below. That’s how you could start creating "air", a sense of "transparency" etc...
If it’s acting too polite, maybe add a very low Q bump further lower on the frequency range. That could prevent you from rabbit hole diving and let you hang on to your current speaker.
But, if you plan on letting go of the KEF anyways, look at some measurements at the least as it can give you a feel for the sound signature you’re looking for (help narrow down the pool since everyone and his uncle offer a speaker these days from their garage).
I get the feeling that this is the speaker you’re looking for, it certainly isn’t very polite (real musical instruments are not that polite), quite airy, transparent, etc. Its called the Yamaha NS-2000A, price = 8k. If Schweikert or Magico tried to make you something of this quality, price could go up to 50k atleast.
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@soix LOL, I guess every 38 years I can justify spending some money on new speakers. If I am going to do it, I want it to be a significant improvement over my current setup.
Yes, Rockport Atria is on the list too. My room isn't huge (13x15), so I want to avoid TOO big a speaker and overpowering the room.
Thanks
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Just noticed that you are running a pair of REL S/510 subwoofers like I am. Coda amp. Are you able to demo Von Schweikert?
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that’s a perfect room size. You have great components. ATC is a great brand too.
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@sls883 Yes, I know a dealer contact within driving distance that handles VS as well as several others. I have heard VS at shows and they are great speakers with, as you said, the RIGHT electronics. CODA is relatively warm and "tube like" for SS gear, I would imagine they would play nice together.
Thanks
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@dmiller01 yeah, they are pretty revealing. They play well with my Coda amp and LTA MicroZOTL preamp. I've tried several cables and the Silversmith Audio Fidelium speaker cables and Black Cat Silverstar 88 interconnects work well.
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You’ve replaced everything else, your speakers are next and you know it. We are seconding your decision to jump. Suggest buying from a local dealer if possible so you can try in your listening room and return if necessary. If no local option there are direct to consumer manufacturers that have buy, try and return for free options (Arendal, SVS and Polk to name a few). Also in the US you can buy from retailers like Crutchfield where you can return for a reasonable fee depending on the size of the speakers. Only you will know if the new speakers sound good to you in your listening room with your equipment. No showroom or online information can duplicate that for you. Enjoy the last step in your musical journey!
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You may wish to consider Magnepans.
Your room size is essentially the same as my bedroom and the LRS+ works wonderfully for me there. And at $1K, you risk very little.
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I would second tge idea of listening to some planar speakers. I upgraded my system 17 years ago (I am 76 now) and was amazed at what I heard. I am still so happy I quit changing gear and have enjoyed listening instead. Listen to a variety of speaker types. Sometimes you just need to find your match, everyone is sifferent.
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What an exciting opportunity! I too am a “buy and hold” investor when it comes to all things audio, but at 38 years, you’ve got me beat. (I’ve had customized AN-Es for almost 15 years now.) One thing to keep in mind is that your hearing - both physically but also your taste and values - has likely changed in that time.
I have a very good friend who loves the Wilson sound. We listen to and really enjoy each others’ systems - his a high power SS and digital system built around Wilsons, mine a low-powered tube snd vinyl system built around the Audio Notes - but we wouldn’t trade ours for the other’s. Why? We listen differently and value different things. He prioritizes imaging and frequency extremes. I’m a tonality/midrange guy. The cool thing is we’ve come to understand better our own values through our engagement with each other’s systems.
My advice - which I’m following myself as I contemplate one day replacing my own beloved speakers - is to listen to as many different types of speakers (and systems) as you can. While you’re surely right that it’s hard at shows to isolate exactly what you want to listen to, I’ve still found it incredibly helpful to identify themes in my preferences.
I’ve attended the Capital Audio Fest the last 3 years, and there are very few systems (above a certain $ threshold) that I can’t find enjoyable in some way or another. But what I’ve discovered is that for me, less is more. I’ve been blown away by the immediacy and realism of a number of systems that seem to reflect a “do no harm” aesthetic, manufacturers that have no or minimal crossovers, like Rethm, Songer, Fern & Roby, Voxativ and Cinnamon, or other highly efficient, horn based speakers by the likes of Cessaro or Triangle Art. I can still admire the Borresens, the YGs, Estelons, Rockports, Vandersteens and the like, but I’m a low power tube guy at heart, so that helps narrow the field considerably for me.
Whatever you do, good luck and enjoy the journey.
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@mdalton Like you, I have been going to shows and trying to make a short list of choices for a while now, in anticipation of making a change some day. If I didn't still think the KEF's sounded really good, or they would just "blow up", it would be much easier to "pull the trigger". They can be like an old friend. Shows are great for exposure but can be frustrating for critical listening. I'll be taking some road trips to dealers for further auditioning, but different electronics and rooms can make that a challenge too. Thanks again for the thoughts and input.
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I would say jump! But it's hard to say jump into which pool since you didn't share any budget.
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