All in 5-6k for setup in living room...with bad acoustics

Here’s the solution: LARSEN (6 or 8)

Can be placed against wall, very forgiving of placement, and create a "wall of sound." Huge sweet spot, can move around the room and still get good live performance sound.

Larsen 6 review

Larsen website (model 6)

Larsen 8.2 review

I’m sensitive to compression drivers and the "harsh" highs

Well, the Magnepan LRS comes to mind. But, if you are listening loudly, then the Maggies probably aren’t your cuppa.

You mentioned a large room, how large? With kitchen?

Normally, for your budget, I would recommend the Vandersteen VLR’s, Belles Aria Integrated, and your Bluesound Node. You’d have money to put to good cables, too. Don’t let the small size fool you, they can rock- and pretty hard, too, esp. with a Sub 3. But, if your room is ’large’, floorstanders would probably be the way to go. Unfortunately, your budget will be stretched to the extreme. (Well, if you want something that sounds great).

Actually, you should PM John Rutan (@audioconnection). He would be the best person to consult, as he is not only knowledgeable, but very honest and won't try to sell you anything.

Bob

So it’s new only? You can put together a pretty kick butt system for 6k used.  New will buy you one piece of it. 

I love deals! Makes me happy lol. My favorite system cost me 2200 total and would Msrp 9k. Not real old stuff still relevant.l and very good. Newly built garage system with brand new speakers and kicks.s old Luxman amp retail 1200 ish total. Cost me 30 bucks after selling very quickly what I didn’t need. 

Definitely not a new system!  I'd go for the preowned gems found in the classified section here.  

Interest rates are up, stock market down and cash is king.  Not that 5-6k is much but I'm sure with some patience I can score a pair of nice speakers to start with for my system.   

Absolutely. Where are you located. 

You can do very well with your budget buying used. Some thoughts:

So if the the budget is for speakers and amplification pick the speakers 1st and then find the right amplifier for them. I would stay away from metal dome tweeters, go with fabric dome types. 

You might want to consider an outboard DAC for your Node. Much on this forum regarding the benefits of doing so.

I am using a Schiit Loki to tame brightness in my 24x24' living room/kitchen area. 

Will this system be used for video as well as audio, that is to augment TV sound?

Keep an eye out on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist as well. Found some gems on there from time to time. 

Just to be clear, is the $5-6k just for speakers or the whole system?

With bad acoustics and no room treatment planned you're wasting your money on buying good gear. If what you want to hear is music while in the kitchen why not consider ceiling speakers?

I'm not trying to be snarky, just realistic based on the information you provided.

My POV is based on my home systems which are-

1. Main system in a dedicated room with acoustic treatment.

2. Living room system with no treatment.

3. Bedroom system with no treatment.

4. Ceiling speakers system with no treatment.

Most audiophiles spend way too much money on gear, and little or none on treatment.

What tomcarr said. Invest the money on the room. I get sufficient sound in the kitchen using an FM transmitter and a clock radio. 

For that money I hear a lot of people are saying room treatments. Ok spend a grand on room treatments and the rest on the system. Don’t worry about cables. Very small improvements IME in the level you are looking at. Just an example of one of my systems:

Focal 836W rated 8 - $700 (drove 2 hours each way)

Jolida CRC 302 upgraded vintage rca input tubes rated 9 - 550

Burson Dac new model rated 9 - $600

This is my favorite most musical system in the house.

in a normal size room at reasonable volumes room treatments mean less unless you are sitting farther away. They matter for sure…

pick your transport or streamer or record player and done. 
 

Deals come up if your quick and need to be patient. Guy like me checks daily on all the sites 😜. 6k buys a real nice system used if you buy right. 

How's $1200 sound? DO a search for current reviews of the LSA VT 70 tube amp (with meters). LSA also sells excellent speakers

hth

I would absolutely love to treat the room but it's our main living area and it's form first followed by function.  Wife decorates the room (house) and then I try to put reasonable stereo system in the room so we/I can enjoy music occasionally.  If I put the system in any other room, or even in the finished basement, it wouldn't; get much use at all.  

A pair of Paradigm PW 600 active speakers with ARC room correction and you are done:

https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/wesworld-menu/feature-articles-reviews-menu/76-uncategorized/833-paradigm-pwsoundbar-pw600-loudspeakers-monitor-sub8-subwoofer?tmpl=component

I'm thinking either something from Legacy Audio, Goldenear Reference or the Seaton Cat 12s.

I need lots of bass, high volume and a silky smooth sound.  Can't go the compression driver route....they hurt my ears.

Lots of B&W options but not sure if they would have the volume, bass or overall dynamics.  

If you get monitors and two subs you will be able to dial in the placement with much more flexibility. If you get a pair of subs that include built in room correction it will help the bad acoustics.

For example a pair of Legacy Studio HD Monitors and a pair of Paradigm Defiance subs and get the mic needed for using the ARC room correction.