Need speaker recommendations.

I should clarify what my front wall looks like. If you are staring at the front wall, 2-ft 4-inch from the floor the wall turns horizontally into a ledge, after 1-ft of ledge it again goes straight up, to the ceiling. In other words, there isn't open space underneath the ledge.

A question I have always had about the Larsen - do they have to be flush against the wall, or can they sit off the wall? In my case, something like the first 2-ft 4-in of the Larsen could go flush against the wall, but anything after that would be 1-ft off the wall. I'm sure I'll know the answer once I audition them, but doesn't hurt to ask here. 

Also, yes I do have an interest in the ATC speakers. I may even extend the budget a bit, to find used ones that work for me.

Amit

I have a couple of semi-vintage Denon and AR power amps (~25 year old), but most likely I will start afresh with this setup. Hence, strongly open to trying new amps.

SPL: I am now too old to rock. Mostly listen to jazz and classical/opera/ethnic music. So let's just say < 75dB at the top?

Amit

@retiredfarmer  from everything I have read it appears that Harbeths need a fair bit of breathing room around them. So I'm not sure whether I want to take the trouble to audition them. I have never heard of Equation speakers, so lets see if I can find a dealer nearby.

@wsrrsw I'd like to start afresh with a new speaker-amp combo, whether integrated or SS/tube separates. I have a Marantz CD player from the late '90s.

@sryeager , @ecrotty it will be a lot of work to audition Ohm, Audio Note, Fritz, Tekton etc. May have to wait on them until I can go to a show?

Locally, top of my list, all of which I can easily audition are Vandies, Focal, Devore, Sonus Faber and Spendor.

I have been very frustrated with local dealers who claim to carry Revel/Dynaudio/DALI etc., but can't arrange for the distributors to ship them a model to audition. All talk, but no real follow up even though they know I could potentially buy one. Keep trying to steer me towards B&W or Focal... is this behavior something others see too?
 

@wdguru I am worried the ATCs might get costly on me quickly... but agree I should audition them.

@sandthemall OK, ok. Room is 14' wide, 18.5 deep (front to back wall), 9' ceiling height, hardwood floors but covered with a very large, plush, antique Persia rug 12'x16'. Lot of canvas art and framed photographic art on the walls. One fireplace with granite slab around it (floor to ceiling). Furniture can mostly be rearranged around what I need. I must also add that I have quality sound insulation in my walls and electrical connection and outlets separately wired for audio equipment. Two windows, both with acoustic shades. See 1 photo, with visible ledge 2.4' from floor, on left and right of fireplace... can post more later.

@moto_man I've been having a really discouraging time getting any replies from Joseph Audio. Zero response to submissions of Contact Us form.

Even calling up their dealer in Chicago hasn't been much better. They acknowledged they are a dealer, and after that, when I asked about some suggestions for amps they recommend for pairing with both Pulsar and Perspective, so that I can get a rough estimate of what sort of money I would have to spend for each combo (low to high)... they went silent. Mind you, I have shared with them my email, mobile phone number and address, as well as the dates I could be in Chicago (a couple of months ahead, so they can arrange for the demo equipment to be available)! As much as even I would like to consider them, I don't know if I want to entertain them anymore.

@ishkabibil yes. I haven't kept up with the stereo speakers market much. So now I do have a fairly long list of recommendations to check out over the next few months. Some will be harder to audition, but still... its a fair bit of info to go on.

Amit