Seeking Bookshelf Recommendations


Looking for some new bookshelf speakers for a second system in a small bedroom.   The room is pretty well treated with 6 broadband absorption and 9 diffuser panels. I’m running Audio Mirror Reflection 45 mono blocks with a Canary preamp. Source will most likely be a Gustard R26 as both dac and streamer. I also have a pair of Rel t5i subs and Aperion dual firing super tweeters.  
 

Soundstaging and imaging are king for me. I want the biggest most dimensional sound I can afford.  My amp pairing is really smooth so I’m not looking for anything too warm.  I’d like something that is neutral but full in the lower mids and upper bass but also extended and airy in the treble.  My current Totem Arros do the soundstaging/imaging but are a little weak for me in the lower mids and upper bass.  Also I really value clarity and resolution as long as the magic isn’t lost of course. Basically I’m looking to have my cake and eat it too. My budget is around 3k and right now tops of my list are Fritz Carreras and Kef R3 metas. Also, Joseph Pulsars would be at the very top of my wish list but I’m trying to spend less unless it’s truly worth it.  Others that are lower on the list are Nola Boxers, Totem Signature Ones, Merlin TSM MMM, and maybe even one of the smaller Thiel floor standing speakers
 

As always I’m looking forward to everyone’s thoughts and hopefully there is at least a couple great speakers I’m missing. 

brylandgoodman

I use stand mounts cause a floor stand speaker would overwhelm my listening space.  My stand mounts can overwhelm it as well at volumes above 80db.  While a stand mount and floor stander might take up the same footprint the stand mount doesn’t take up the same space visually in the room.  Floor standers would feel much larger in my room.  My speaker stands are neither goofy nor rickety either. I’m not fascinated by stand mounts it is just a practical trade off given the constraints of my room. 

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This thread has taken off a bit in the few days I’ve been away. Thanks for all the suggestions. At this point I’ve kind of narrowed it down to Pulsars, Fritz Carreras, or Reference 3a de capo be. Out of the three I’m leaning towards Fritz but a lot cans depend on what pops up at a good price really. The Magnepans and other open baffles are very intriguing to me and I hope to play with them one day. With my current room though I think it could work out or it may not.  I’d rather go with more of a sure thing I guess. Anyways I’m really digging on the Fritz and may just have to check out the Pulsars another time. 

Overloading a room with a larger speaker is a myth
 

Maybe.  Maybe I don’t mean overload but I certainly don’t have the space to take advantage of what a floor standing speaker would provide.  I just know when I turn it up past 80db or so it’s just too loud for my room, or maybe just me, and I prefer it at a lower volume.  I have treated my room and it measures well outside of some bass treatment I need to tame a bump at 50hz.  The stand mount is just easier to integrate imho.  I would love to have some floor standers, however, I think I’d just be spending money to have speakers I can’t get the most out of due to my small room.  I’m certainly open to being convinced that I’m wrong and could find a three way stand mount that can work in a small space.