Monitors for 14 x 20 Room

Thank you all for the suggestions. Really hard to narrow this down, especially with the WAF!

yamaha ns5000

Second the Wharfdale EVOs.

I am not familiar with your amp so I can't say for certain it would work with the original KEF LS50's but I can say the speakers are excellent.  Used ones can be had for $600 to $700. 

Look into the Totem brand, many good examples of smallish speakers that under the right circumstances fill the soundstage and are non-fatiguing 

Wharfdale Denton 80th anniversary monitors on good rigid stands.  I have some in my bedroom system and sound great.  I tried them with a Simaudio Moon I-3 and it was a very nice combo.  I got the I-3 while my other preamp and amp were getting serviced.  I might be selling the I-3 as I have plenty of gear already.

Lots of good advice here. Thanks!

Quite a few suggestions are about as large as Fritz speakers. Maybe, I need to just buy Fritz speakers and beg for forgiveness😊

@erik_squires

 

What are sliced paper cones? Never heard of these before your post. 

@mesch

Have you played your Paradigm speakers with another amp and source? 

Yes, maybe I  should not have used the the word distortion. Lack of detail and nuance is probably more accurate! Nothing at the extremes that sounds good. Just an inexpensive speaker... 

Secondhand Dynaudio X14's might fit your criteria including your wife's preference for a smaller speaker. Secondhand prior version of the PSB Synchrony One B is another candidate within in your budget. Beware the One B is about the same size as the Fritz Carbon.

Since you mention you would spend Fritz money if the speakers were smaller, you might consider the Burkhardt S400. The current MK II version is about $2200 new. If you were careful and patient, you might get a secondhand MKI set for $1200 or better. The MK I is "warmer", according to Burkhardt.

Good luck with your shopping!

look for used Ref 3A de Capos  piano black can be found around 1K

Fritz makes a smaller version of the Carbon 7. Another aspectof his speakers is that they are easy to drive vs. most stand mounts. 

Have you played your Paradigm speakers with another amp and source? Maybe sort out the cause of the distortion.  You might consider starting the upgrade process from the source rather than the sink.

I got some CSS Criton 1tdx speakers in a trade yesterday morning. VERY impressed! Punchy warm and detailed. Play loud with ease. 

How about Triangle BR02 at a super low price, $199 now on Amazon.

I just got these and they are very satisfying bookshelf speaker. 
Try them out returns good until 1/31/23.

Top choice by a hair: WHARFEDALE EVO 4.2

I suggest you up your budget to $1500-2000 and see a proportional increase in quality. KEF LS50 Meta and R3's are on sale at Crutchfield. LSA will be releasing a new monitor in January. I grabbed a pair of Dynaudio Anniversary 40's for two grand this week. And I see a pair of Elac Vela's on Audiogon for $1800. Best wishes!

Dynaudio confidence 1’s

+1 Mesch on the Fritz Carbons

There is a pair of LSA-1 Statements for sale here within your budget. No affiliation with the seller.

Check out KEF. The Q750’s used or the R5’s used.

Good questions.

I am not wanting to spend a lot with it as I will be there only occasionally.

However, I would buy Fritz speakers at a higher price point in a heartbeat but my better half will think they are too large for what she wants in the space.

Will be moving to a cd player or DAC/transport at some point.

Vinyl flooring over cement slab with area rugs and cushion furniture. No room treatments allowed.

Thanks.

Headphones. 

MA Silver 100s.

If you’re in the northeast or mid-Atlantic area pick these up.  They’re floorstanders but very slim and take up no more space than monitors when all is said and done, and no need to purchase stands.  Not only will these work for your current needs, I bet you end up preferring them to at least one of your main speakers. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649912639-joseph-audio-rm25si-signature-mk-ii-loudspeakers/

For less than 1k Kef LS50

I own Fritz speakers. The Carbon 7SE mK2.  A great speaker however above budget and would be hard to find on used market. 

What type to music do you listen to? How would you characterize the room regarding brigtness? Would room treatment on the listening end of room be under consideration? 

Sorry, I missed your budget requirements. :(

Is the tuner your primary source or are there other sources available or in mind?

Fritz with the sliced paper cones