Standmount speakers 4k-8k

Wow. Thanks for all the informative replies. 
As to my current electronics: they are low level and will be improved when I get the new speakers. But I heard the Kefs on a 2500 Parasound...

I'll see if any of these are around where I live. There are so many brands, and so few are available within, say, 40 miles
--either people only buy the brands near where they live or folks are buying without listening!

My thanks to everyone for great suggestions. So many fine speakers, so little time...!
I still wonder if people are buying speakers without hearing them, since while I live in a big city (Boston) there are an awful lot of well reviewed speakers that a way too far away to hear. 
Are people taking reviews and recommendations from other folks as enough to go on?
Just askin....

Great and helpful comments. Thanks to all. 
I'd just add that in my limited audiophile experience I've bought two sets of speakers for 2 different rooms. Both of the sets I bought (BW CM9 and Monitor Audio GX-50) I liked much more than the 1/2 dozen or so competitors I listened to.
So for me it's certainly not about 'best' but about what I like, and to my surprise, given how expensive this stuff is, I have very strong preferences, which is why I doubt I'd ever buy any speakers, at least, without hearing them first. 

I'm really grateful for all the input, advice, and good wishes 
What a great bunch on this site. 
Seems I have to get a new car before new speakers (old one has 170k miles so it's cool). 
But will check in whenever I listen to something, and eventually let folks know how it turns. 
My thanks!!!

UPDATE!
 Having completed my new car business I'm back in the hunt.. 
At a lovely local dealer listened to Sonus Guarneri Evolution (24K, but as demos 12K) Focal Electra 1008: $4000/pr (N/I stands).Focal Sopra One: ($9,000, includes stands; 

The Sonus--my goodness, that's what incredible sounds like. Detail and space, warm without feeling colored, crisp in a way I hadn't heard before. 
Out of my range, but fab. 
The Electra--very good--big sound for a little thing. As good or better than the Aerial 5t I listened to. More or less same price.
Sopra one: very very good. Not the Sonus, but not too far away, as far as I could tell. Liked all 3, even the electra, more than Kef Ref one and Totem Element fire. Personal taste all the way, of course.
For single instruments or a string quartet the Electra weren't that far off the other two. But with the orchestra or complex world music, you could really hear a difference. 
of course the whole thing was colored by the around 10k worth of cd player and amps and cables I was listeneing to!
So... soon to try the Paradigm Persona B, just off the boat new. And then I want to check out Monitor PL100II, and if I can one of the good Dynaudios. 
Then all I have to do is make up my mind. 
Thanks for all your tips and good wishes. Happy holidays to us all. 

Kalili thanks for advice. I have taken the comments about electronics to heart and just yesterday bought on Audiogon a Sony integrated amp (regular price 2k, got it for 1/2 that). So in a week I'll see how the GX-50s sound with a real amp, rather than the $300 Yamaha I've been using. 

Ain't music grand?

Kalili thanks for advice. I have taken the comments about electronics to heart and just yesterday bought on Audiogon a Sony integrated amp (regular price 2k, got it for 1/2 that). So in a week I'll see how the GX-50s sound with a real amp, rather than the $300 Yamaha I've been using.

Ain't music grand?

Soundsreal: thanks for the offer, but I'm afraid your speakers, even though recommended by several on this list, wouldn't pass the WAF...

UPDATE: 
I've taken the advice received here and started with improving my amp. Dealing with audiogon makes it financially possible. Just today got my Sony AE1, which is not very old, for 1/2 price. 
And you guys were right, makes a big difference. 
I've got an T and A cd player coming; and the monitor audio PL100II, all bought for remarkable prices. 
Systems sounds better already but I suspect that 
the best 
is 
yet to 
come!

LAST WORD: 
Well, that's it. On the advice of folks here I updated my cd source and my integrated amp. And the speakers arrived today: Monitor Audio PL 100 II. 
And the whole system at about 60% less than regular price, since I got all the pieces on this site. All of them look and sound new. All transactions were easy. 
Amp is Sony TA1
CD Player T and A Elektro Akoustic 1260
Even before the PL100s the GX50s were singing with the new source and amp. I really didn't realize how much difference that would make. 
But the new speakers: my goodness they are fine. Deep, clear, bright on top, spacious. They are in a pretty small room and the soundstage just spreads side to side and front to back. 
So...thanks for all your great advice and happy listening to us all.