speakers for small room

I have a similar situation with a 12.5 x 13.5 living room with an adjacent 80% open 4 x 13.5 hallway that contains my record storage. IMO a modest sized floor stander minus a sub(space/continuity issues) will give the best results. Hopefully Sonus Faber will update/improve the Nova series in 2024 which would make a very good speaker into a class leader.

I heard the KEF Reference 1 Meta at Axpona with 2 subwoofers and it lacked engagement. I asked to hear them with subwoofers off and the sound was lethargic. Yes, tough to completely judge a speaker within 15 minutes at a show but it does raise the "Red Flag". IMO they could be very sensitive with electronics/room acoustics/cables/placement and even recordings. I did like the YG Acoustics Peak Talus($14k) very well balanced and liquid even when the subwoofer was off. On the budget side the Atohm GT2 HD($7500) was the best under $10k speaker at the show. When set up correctly these 2 compact floor standers will compete with any comparably priced standmount/subwoofer combo.