Versatile, non-fatiguing speakers for a small room under $1500 used or new: advice needed!


Hi, first post here! And not a very original one, my apologies!:)

So after years of listening to music through miscellaneous mid-fi solutions, I am finally thinking about dipping my toes in hi-fi audio and putting together a dedicated stereo setup. Currently I am looking at speakers, and my head is already aching from the abundance of options, so I am looking for suggestions from you guys, primarily from those of you who have had first-hand experience building a stereo in a small room like mine and achieved results they are happy with.

My room is pretty small (approx. 13’ x 10’), and I will be placing my speakers along the long wall. My listening position will be 6 feet away, give or take; plus the speakers will have to sit fairly close to the front wall. 15 inches from the back of the speaker would be nice, but if needed, I definitely I could move them out farther into the room (up to 20 inches from the back of the speaker), for listening sessions and then move them back again. There are several rows of shelves , filled with CDs and stuff, in the middle of the back wall above my head (not wall-to-wall though) - would that work as dispersion? I’m thinking of applying some room treatment behind the speakers, and on the right-hand side wall as well (if needed) - on the left hand side is a window covered with thick curtains.

Budget: under $1500 used or new.
I listen to all kinds of music, primarily rock of all eras and subgenres (blues/folk/prog/hard/art/psych/indie, etc), jazz, blues, classical, acoustic, singer-songwriters, female vocal, 80s new wave/post punk, some heavy metal. So the speakers need to be as versatile as possible. As someone who likes rock music, the bass is important, but I live in an apartment (neighbors!), so I have to find the right balance there as I don’t want to overload the room - the bass has to be there but under control and not boomy. I want as big a sound as possible in my small room without overpowering it. In general, I’m looking for engaging, non-fatiguing, dynamic sound with good midrange and tone, with enough punch to rock out when needed, nuance to play softer, more sparse types of music, and resolution so the details in fast complex passages don’t get lost or smeared. Not a fan of excessive brightness, sibilance, or harshness in the upper midrange.

I’m primarily looking at standmounts, but maybe certain smaller floorstanders would be fine? I’ve seen opinions claiming floorstanders are the way to go, regardless of the size of the room. What do you think would be preferable in my situation - apartment with neighbors, 13’x10’ room, long wall positioning, distance to speakers about 6 feet, maybe less?

Thanks!
mermaid_smiles
@biggreg and arafiq

in the past year i have typically seen later model no-issues sets of p3’s around $1600-1900 without stands here or on us am - and hence my commentary below

obviously if one is patient, checks the sites very frequently and acts decisively when a very well priced pair is posted, then no doubt one can do better

good luck to the op in pursuing these if that is the inclination, p3’s are excellent, with a good sub they are staggeringly good
I would definitely check out the new KEF LS50 Meta---great reviews so far. They come in some cool colors too. Elac makes a variety of speakers in your price range as well. Good luck and keep us posted. 
I just bought an open box pair of Quad S-5 floorstanders.  They retail just under 3000 and I got them for 1400.  Can't wait to hear them in my den.
I have heard very good things about the LS50 Meta speakers by KEF.  I already have too many "book shelf" speakers in my house by ELAC, Wharfedale, Epos, Polk, KEF, and Adam, which are studio monitors made in Germany that can be used for home audio (they are powered).
I got lucky with my P3ESR's.  In one of my last in-person visits to Echo Audio in Portland I walked in and saw them in the demo room, asked how much (I think they were $1025?), and immediately said I'll take them.  I was lucky they hadn't put them on their web site yet, or they would have been snapped up in a minute.  They're the Special Edition and in almost perfect shape. 

If you look at the sold listings on hifishark, you'll see that they are often available for under $1500.