Looking for suggestions on best small footprint speaker under $4K


Greetings
i’m a long time 2 channel system guy that rekindled his  interest in music and Is looking to upgrade speakers.    I just currently upgraded from a small  tube amp to a 150 W Krell amp and have really enjoyed the improved response from my  7 year old KEF LS50’s.     My favorite Brands of speakers over the years have been Maggie’s and B&W.   I have also downsized  homes and size of speaker is an issue.     Looking for the best sounding speaker for jazz and lite rock.    Attractive cabinets are important to me so I don’t like the looks of golden ear speakers..   25 years ago I loved Vandersteen speakers but they were just not attractive.

As I begin my search what would yoou suggest.   I have started looking at Monitor Audio and Salk but have not heard any.  My budget is $4K.

i appreciate your feedback.


128x128miamiangler
If you're hell bent on dropping $4k, I can't readily help you.  But if you're willing to spend a lot less than that and be willing to live with some real magic, then here's a completely different thought.

One of the most wonderful systems I've ever heard was a pair of late 70's vintage KEF Calinda loudspeakers being driven by a Marantz 8B tube power amp.  Absolutely spell binding!

That vintage of KEF loudspeaker is hard to find in the USA, but is readily available in Europe.  Do a search at https://www.hifishark.com/

The Calinda typically sells for around $400/pair.  Shipping extra.
The next model up, the Cantata, typically sells for about $600/pair.

As for the power amp, the Marantz 8B is a classic, but an expensive classic.  What's a much better value is the 35 wpc ST-70 from VTA.   They also have a 60 wpc amp for a reasonable amount.  You can either build the kit, save money and get a ton of satisfaction, or have them make it up for you.  Even pre-assembled, the prices are modest.

ST-70, preassembled with tubes - $1275
ST-70, kit - w/tubes - $879
ST-120, preassembled with tubes - $1435
ST-120, kit w/tubes - $1159

In your shoes, something like this is what I'd do.
Sorry for the slow response, but have been visiting my new granddaughter this week.   Thanks for all the feedback I truly appreciate it and have a lot of research to do.   I have never bought used speakers though I willing to as long as I can see and hear them first.   
Russbutton certainlynot hell bent on spending $4K,  I have been using a tube amp for the last seven years and really like the sound character.   I just bought a recapped Krell amp and have been blown ay by the sound.   My next amp will be a high powered tube.
Miami, everything you are saying(small footprint, jazz/light rock, tube amps) points to Totem, I'll add to the other Totem recommendations.  The Totem Hawks are really amazing.  They pay attention to every single detail from the density of the mdf, point to point crossover wiring instead of circuit boards, silver plated internal wire(different wire for each speaker in their line up), even super expensive WBT 0763 speaker binding posts.

Look up the WBT's, and while you're at it, look up the woofer they selected for the Hawks, the Scanspeak Revelator 15W driver.  This is a 5.5 inch driver that can hit down below 35 Hz with Totem's modifications.  Everything they do with this speaker is music first, not sales or profit first.  You gotta try this speaker.

I've had several of their bookshelf models right up to the Sky, which goes for almost $2000 but this Hawk model eats it for lunch in every way.