These are some great recommendations - I appreciate it.
I had not heard much of the Yamaha/Kef lore. Very interesting. I have a pair of KEF reference speakers from the 70s that are in a state of disrepair. The woofers are fine but the tweeters sound terribly off. I don’t really have a positive or negative opinion about them as I haven’t really heard any other than my broken ones. I do like the look of the LS50s @acguo - really beautiful stuff.
I also hadn’t really considered Sonus Faber. I haven’t listened to any in truth, but they certainly look fantastic and the specs seem impressive. That’s a good shout thanks!
Many of my audio colleagues have referenced being around for The Tweeter Days(TM). A part of me thinks about hifi of many moons ago in romantic terms (having never experienced them). Then I think better of it as I remember how incredibly good components and speakers have gotten.
I should add more detail about the system for reference:
All components are wired with audioquest, including the video sources (the Apple TV, BRP, and sometimes a computer, are routed through an hdmi switcher).
The speakers, ironically, are wired with clear jacketed rip chord. I know, I know. This will change eventually. They are bi wired atm.
The speakers are on a custom piece of wood furniture. They are not sat on it wood-to-wood, so to speak. They have small feet put on by the previous owner. I’d call it a couple millimeters height off the top of the cabinet. Stands are ideal, I agree - but the space doesn’t really allow for it.
A sub is definitely in the cards, but I’d rather spend the cash on the bookshelves initially, and then save up for a nicer sub. I was thinking something from JL. Do you guys have any personal experience with their subs?
@nicholsr I like their business philosophy!