Looking for speaker recommendations that I can purchase on Amazon.com

Music Direct and Crutchfield have liberal return policies. I believe MD has a 60 day window. 

I would consider Vandersteen 2CE Signature IIs or the new Elac Adante series, both available from MD.

@lowoverdrive, 

Yes, I used to work on UH-60s, Bells and Robinsons. 

Maybe you already explained the reason, but is something other than return policy keeping you from considering other sellers?

I've bought and returned numerous items with Music Direct and there was no hassle. They require the buyer to cover return shipping, but Amazon would too.

I've also had great experiences with Crutchfield. I once returned a 50lb amp and they charged only $10 dollars for return shipping. They also have a 60 day return window.

From your list, the KEF R700s or R900s would be my choice, no question. IME, the standard LS50s spank many $3K speakers in midrange ^ performance. 

Amazon has free return shipping for large speakers? That's news to me.

KEF LS50s are not bright at all. In fact, I was surprised to find they're warmer than all other speakers I've had in my system. I have Spendor 2/3s (often described as "pipe and slipper" speakers) hooked up to the same Yamaha amp as the LS50s. I can do an A/B comparison with the flick of a switch. The KEFs are no brighter than the Spendors. They're actually a tad warmer.
 

Since Amazon is apparently willing to cover return shipping of large speakers, you might as well begin some in-home auditions. It's essentially risk free as long as you're careful with handling. I like the LS50s, but they're more competitive in the $2k to $3k range. In your room, you'd want to pair them with a sub or two. 

The R900s should negate the need for a sub but give you most, if not all of the midrange goodness the LS50s have to offer. 

Keep a journal with listening and placement notes for each pair you audition.

@alborosie,

The benefit offered by many online retailers is in-home auditions. It's true that sellers like Amazon and BB have no real knowledge to offer, but the same can be said for 2/3 of the hi-fi dealers in my area. They simply stock the most attractive speakers and gear. I've encountered $50k systems that sound terrible because these dealers are clueless about room/speaker/gear synergy, or they're more focused on home theater applications. When you ask about in-home auditions, they tell you that all sales are final, or they only allow exchange for store credit. The brick and mortar industry is dying because most consumers simply don't care much about sound quality. They want small, unobtrusive, "plug and play" speakers that can relay the news or weather. They're creatures of convenience. Many have no interest in learning how to drive, let alone set up a hi-fi stereo. I don't like it either, but it's the reality of our times. 

The OP had already countered suggestions for other retailers prior to your post. I don't think he should have to repeatedly defend his position. 

With all due respect here, troll or not, your wasting everyone's time here, including your own and I'll explain why in just a moment. I apologize in advance for the harsh way this must sound, but my comments are meant in a positive way so that you re-think what you are doing here.

1. You recently wrote, "With so many recommendations for the KEF LS50, it seems like I need to give these a try. I had my mind set on floorstanding speakers initially, but after reading all the recommendations for the LS50 here, I think I will give them a try first.

Even if I still end up buying floorstanding speakers for my music room, I can then put the LS50 in my smaller home theater room to replace my Polk RTi A3’s.

I will call a nearby BestBuy store before buying the LS50 on Amazon. "

So why not just buy them from Best Buy and support the local economy and the person whose time you just wasted? Instead, you're going to waste the salesman's time listening to them at his store and then buy them on Amazon. (and please don't insult my intelligence and tell me you said above that your just calling Best Buy and not going there to listen to them - then what's the point of calling them? Of course you're going to go there and listen to them, so let's be honest)  

2. In reading through this thread, it's apparent that you've spent a great deal of time researching, reading reviews, and listening to everyone else's opinions except your own. Trust your own ears! They are no better or worse than a reviewers. A reviewer might say one thing that sounds very encouraging but when you hear it, you may not like it. Listen more, read less.  

3. And this should be #1 - Your using a frigging 500 wpc, 26 lb Yamaha amp that is designed for professional use in a night club, bar or gathering hall. Why? This website is primarily for home audio, not professional audio, and I'd bet 95% of us, myself included, know nothing about professional audio but can talk to you all day and night about home audio. I'll bet my old B&K EX442 at 200 wpc into 8, 360 into 4 and 75 amps would smoke that Yamaha for breakfast, lunch and dinner any day of the week. Why? Because I once heard it up against tube monoblocks from Paoli (a highly moded Dyna mkIII) and you virtually couldn't tell the difference.  

4. 23' x 21' is a nice sized room, but how loud do you listen that you need 500 wpc? You would be really surprised to hear how loud 1 watt can sound with the right speakers. Get rid of that Yamaha and look for a tube amp because once you hear the warmth and sweetness of tubes, you'll never be truly happy listening to solid state, IMHO.  

You'll need something of decent power in a tube amp, unless you go with a single ended amp and high efficiency speakers. If you've never heard a low powered SET amp with hi efficiency speakers, you are in for a treat and your journey will end there. I once heard a 3 wpc 2A3 amp with horn speakers completely fill up a 40' x 40' room that you were completely satisifed with the loudness of it.  

Otherwise a push pull tube amp using KT88's or 6550's, possibly EL34's will get you where you need to be but I much prefer the SET sound to PP.

Go get the KEF's and see how it mates with the Yamaha for now and then consider upgrading the Yamaha which to me is the weak link here. Let us know what you think of the KEFs. Thanks for listening.

This post is loaded with assumptions.

1. You're assuming he'll call Best Buy to arrange an audition but will subsequently buy on Amazon. 

Did you read his initial post? He intends to buy from one of these two stores. Maybe he simply wants to know if his local Best Buy has them in stock. Most Best Buys don't carry their Magnolia brands.

For most states, Amazon has begun charging sales tax, so there's no longer an advantage in that regard. 

2. You're assuming his Yamaha amp is a weak link. I've compared the lower end Yamaha integrateds to some far more expensive amps and it trumped them in many areas. He prefers his amp to the A-S801, which happens to be competitive with $2K^amps IME. Have you heard his specific amp at length? Many would make similar assumptions about the performance of your B&K EX44, simply because it's old and has rather simple circuitry. 

3. You're assuming he'd prefer tubes over SS. I own both and have heard various implementations of each. Yes, tubes have a unique sound, but many do not find them to be all-around better. Many prefer SS. Some (like myself), even prefer moderate power SS to high-power SS.  I currently have one tube and two SS powered systems, each has its strengths. 

I agree that he should ultimately decide using his own ears, but many do not live near any brick and mortar dealers, let alone one that carries tube gear. It's true that many B&Ms will ship cross-country, but I'd feel more guilty potentially wasting their time (with a return) than that of BB, who employs clueless kids at $11/hour. Kids who spend most of their time aimlessly wandering the store, or harassing patrons by hovering over them, with no useful knowledge to offer.

I don't agree that we should keep hounding him about his chosen retail outlets. He's clearly staunch in his decision to stick with those parameters and we should respect his choice. Amazon and BB (Magnolia) do sell some very respectable gear despite the limited options.