Seeking advice on Speakers that create an intimate 2 channel listening experience


So the past month I started a couple of threads on speaker choice on AVS forum (One asked for Powered/Active floor standing Speaker choices and another one around non-active FS speakers for a tube amp I was looking at).

But I've come to realize this was the wrong tact, got lots of flack much deserved and wanted to try to solicit the advice/opinions on this forum which I just discovered.

Short background...Hunkered down in a suburb just outside NYC now for the past 3-4 months, I started to get the itch for a dedicated 2 channel stereo Turntable setup in our living room in May. After much research and twists and turns and immediate upgraditis, as some know on here from other posts, I've finally settled in and now own a Rega Planar 10 Turntable. I also own a Sutherland phono --20/20 with LPS and that's staying. Right now the phono preamp is hooked up direct to a pair of ELAC ARF51 floorstanding speakers (all drivers powered by built in AB amps) which I like a lot BUT ITS HERE THAT I WANT MORE. Btw, I love the ELAC design of mounting the tweeter concentric in the mid driver -- makes sense to me.  I kinda wish ELAC would take the same design and make a reference speaker but thats for another day.

So to swap out the ELACs, I will obviously need an amp, but I will figure that out later and want to focus on getting the right speakers for me for what I want. So what do I want?

1. Floorstanders. Close to full range as possible. No subs.
2. Looks count since in my main living room.
3. Speakers that prioritize Imaging Imaging Imaging. That disappear in the room creating an intimate but 3D listening experience. Clean (Accurate) warm sound. No distortion. I would easily sacrifice low end for untiring highs and warm mids I don't listen to metal or hiphop anymore so I don't need loudness, more like lounge experience if that makes sense. Apologize if I got the adjectives wrong but its personal description of what I'm seeking.
4. Price Point - -$10k-25k. Room is 22x18 with 25 foot ceiling

I would like to audition/demo before I buy and since I live in the Tri-State area it should be possible. But I'm finding that obviously difficult to do right now. I listened to a pair of Salk speakers but didn't love them. And have an appt with the Audio Doctor in NJ in two weeks.

Thanks in advance.
aj523
Not floor standing speakers. But if you heard these under optimal conditions it may not matter. Spica TC-50 or TC-60 
Two options:  
 while you are at Singer, listen to the Raidho C2.2 and/or C3.2s.  He used to have almost the entire line there. 
Raidho’s deliver incredible imaging and three dimensional soundstage.  I am a Raidho dealer in Jersey City but am new and don’t have demos.  

Another interesting speaker is the Avantgarde Zero TA XD and the Zero 1 XD.  The TA is passive and pairs beautifully with Tube SET amplifiers.  The Zero 1 XD is fully powered.  There is no NYC dealer but I am considering bringing in a pair largely because I am the importer of a SET line that is brilliant with Avantgardes.  
Please let me know if either line intrigues you.  You can view details of the Raidho line including list prices at my site - artaudio.us.  PM me if you have any questions about pricing, etc...
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Speakers that prioritize Imaging Imaging Imaging. That disappear in the room creating an intimate but 3D listening experience. Clean (Accurate) warm sound. No distortion. I would easily sacrifice low end for untiring highs and warm mids I don't listen to metal or hiphop anymore so I don't need loudness, more like lounge experience if that makes sense. Apologize if I got the adjectives wrong but its personal description of what I'm seeking.
I totally "get" that you are being sincere with your priorities but nothing about these priorities equals "intimate". Perhaps the "warm mids"part qualifies. Otherwise your priorities point towards "sterile" and "analytical" vs. "intimate". 
First, all loudspeakers known to mankind not only distort, but distort more than any other competently designed link in the audio chain. That is an unassailable fact of life. Next, if you are sincere in your desire for intimacy, it is largely a matter of selecting a loudspeaker that mates well with a suitable amp that produces even order harmonics. 
And last, imaging is a factor of many things but largely with loudspeakers it means a narrow baffle, careful crossover design, and matching of drivers, left vs right. Standmounts naturally image better than floorstanders. There is no getting around that. My suggestion is TAD standmounts. 
What everybody wants, intimate 2 channel listening experience with deep and wide soundstage and lots of air. 🤗
+1 for contacting Johnny R. At the Audio Connection in Verona. You might want to demo the Quatro Wood CT $15,499 / Pair. Internal powered subs and an extremely musical speaker. 

https://www.vandersteen.com/products/quatro-wood-ct
If you're interested in Spendors, you should really try to seek out an example in their Classic line, which come closer to your desiderata than the D line.  Unfortunately, the Classic line is a bit harder to find in stores, as Spendor have been pushing the D's for some time.
I have an appt in two weeks to listen to the Spendor D9.2 at Sound by Singer in Manhattan.  They are still closed for demos.    
Hey there I'm out on the us li and and my townhouse living room is a little bigger than yours with a balcony .I had bought  Polk lsim707  for $1,500 for a pair they were returns long story...but they sound great in my living room.They need like 200 wpc.i use a SAE 5002,amp.Argon one preamplifier. NAD 588 TT.Well the place rocks and the speakers  for the price are amazing. 

Fyne also do concentric tweeters, at a number of price points.  Good reviews but hard to audition.

Along the lines of the Spendor Classic 100 already recommended, I'm going to mention the Harbeth 40.2, which does a lot of what you're looking for very well indeed, but probably stumbles on size/looks.

For a non-opinionated take on audio in NJ, yes, go to Johnny R at Audio Connection.  Listen to the Vandersteen 4's and see what you think.

If you're going to NJ you should contact Johnny R. At the Audio Connection in Verona I'm sure he'd have some great speakers to audition.
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And, don't forget Tannoy. They are old-school beautiful, WAF shouldn't be a problem.
not floorstanders but you shd really consider harbeths - get the right one for your room
Gershman Acoustics Grand Avant Garde are full range loudspeakers that offer genuinely world class imaging and holographic soundstaging; they create "height" in a way that is unique in my experience. They have real, nuanced bass output into the low 20s. Hand built in Canada in any color you prefer.

The Next Best Thing Studio review (reviewer purchase)
Best of show, Axpona 2019
Best of show, Axpona 2018
DMS review of the smaller Studio II model

Cheers,
Colin

disclaimer: I'm a Gershman Acoustics dealer
https://gestalt.audio
Spendor SP100. I lived with them for years and would gladly do it again. You will definitely have intimate experiences with them. 
so, you are done with active and now want passive? Not all actives are the same. Find a dealer that will let you home demo his open box items.
I heard them and found them involving but a little lacking in inner detail I get from my ESL57.
If I was in your situation, I’d look at Tekton Moab or Ulfberht and high quality SET tube amps. Also Tannoy Kensington and Spendor SP100/200.