Recommendations on a big 3 way bookshelf - new or vintage - speakers, have stands 17" high

No 3-way but good bass mid and highs
Ref 3A de Capo

+1 on 3a de Capo... Focal, Profile 908s are terrific too. There’s a pair on the “other” site in cherry for $700. I’m very tempted as thats a low price for a $2500 bookshelf speaker

Also, both de Capo & Focals are 2/way,.. 2/ way vs 3/way is another discussion. Personally I’ve always preferred a quality two-way system

Spendor Classic 1/2: large, stand-mounted, 3-way, possible to triwire.

Take a look at the JBL Studio 530. I don't think they'll compete with the above, but worth a look. 

ADS L-710 Or 810

The JBL100 Classic speaker is the most fun sounding 3 way bookshelf speaker I have ever heard. No bi or tri wiring capability though.  Why is that so important?  If you have tri wired cables, you can still use them.  

Budget?

harbeth shl5 supers

thank me later  :)

Anyone: thoughts about JBL 4429s? or SONY M3s?

Selah Audio "Tempesta " is a fine 3 - way large monitor speaker. They are well designed and sound great. 

A few that haven't been mentioned yet:

• Bryston Mini T
• Wharfedale  Linton Herritage 
• Wharfedale Elysian 2
• Wharfedale EVO 4.2

Have a soft spot for JBL 4311's - my 1st quality hifi purchase in 1981. So much depends on your budget as @soix said. I'm more into 2/ways and find most better pieces can do as much if not more then a 3/way design anyway so, let me add this though... Holt Hill Audio in Boston make some damn fine monitors. Listened to their Cionnsaile (sp?) on Friday when dropping off a driver for repair. Absolutely amazing 2/way big & boxy stand mount speakers. Had them singing with a big Plinius integrated and they thrashed everything there including some incredible highly rated vintage systems. They are $1500 bucks and the fit and finish is super, albeit fire-engine red is not my thing. They can custom paint them any color you want and come stock in black high gloss finish. How about a set in Shelby Blue with white racing stripes, "yep" said he can do it for a bit more $$. Not gonna list a link here but u, (everyone) should google them and visit their site; something pretty special gong on there. Just my opinion

No answer from OP on budget but they asked about "SONY M3s", of which there is no such speaker from Sony.

There is (was) a Sony SS-M3, a weirdo standmount from 2005. That would fit the OP’s vintage part of "new or vintage" but not the 3-way requirement (SS-M3 is 2-way).

Also saw a search hit for a $319 pair on eBay - maybe that’s in OP’s budget range as well?