Help with Yamaha 801 pairing

Your 801 puts out 100w and is an underrated, overpowered machine whose biggest fault us that it can be a bit flat in its presentation. Its pure direct is a sonic delight. Owning one, however, I will say its phono stage is a weak point.

There are tons of possibilities at your price range. You’d best be off taking the 801 to whatever dealer is near you to test out speakers. You gave a large room, so you’ll want something with projection. Consider Maggie’s or open baffles like Spatial Audio

JBL L100

or 

Thanks Simao and kota1

I plan to just that .. appreciate any help to narrow the choices

Given your listening preferences and budget, I would go for the Zu Audio Dirty Weekend floor standers.  I have had a pair in use in my main system for the last 4 years (tube amp; ss preamp, TT's & CDs).  I also have the Zu Omen Monitor in a second system.  Very energetic and realistic sounding.

You may want to spend some of that 2500 budget on a good phono stage. Post a question on the analog forum here and see what people say.