Since you mentioned the Wharfedale Evo 4.2, the new Evo 5 series has been released, and the Evo 5.2 is the sweet spot in that lineup. It outperforms all Evo 4 models, including the floorstanders. I auditioned the Evo 4.2 at home for a while and liked most of what it delivered, but it left some of the low-end performance on the table. The Evo 5.2 improves on it in every way — including the bass.
Have some fun with bookshelf monitors!!
This is ANOTHER what speaker should I buy. But here is the thing. I might have a speaker problem......
I currently own the following speakers: Dynaudio Evoke 50s (my main room) driven by Prima Luna, Watkins Gen 4 (secondary room) driven by Cary amp, Harbeth P3ESR (office) driven by retro Grant Fidelity tube amp, and Wharfedale Evo 4.2 (home theater) driven by an NAD AVR. If you ask my wife that's about seven too many speakers.
BUT
I have a new large room, lots of glass, 10' ceilings, and have to use an NAD 3050 amplifier. Speakers have to sit on a bookshelf, have a wood or white finish, and most importantly be interesting!
SO...
with a $5,000 top end (and goal to be half of that) tell me what you buy.