Speakers - Your "Safest" Choice

@markalarsen  - that's what had me so intrigued: the speakers are so different. I find most folks usually prefer a certain type/design.

Spend around $1000 on a pair of VA Beethovens. The ones in the slightly taller box with 2 woofers, 2 mids and a soft dome tweeter. I sold mine in 2016 and went on a journey starting with $10k and after 4-5 different speakers I repurchased the VA's. 20 years old now and still love them in my 2nd system. They have a restricted SPL so wouldn't satisfy for end of the work week hard rock listening, but everything under 95 db these speakers define the line for the law of diminishing returns. I found speakers are much like beautiful women. The better they are the more they cost to make happy.

@gnoworyta

You might consider YG Acoustics Peaks series: wonderful speakers. I was very close to buying a pair.

I also have a pair of Yamaha NS-5000s driven by Bel Canto Black EX and love them.

Speakers are one part of a system. I usually spend more on electronics and cables than speakers. Until they are in your house and set up properly, with your equipment, you can only predict how they will sound. It is like discussing engines not installed in a car. Only once the engine is in the car will you know how the car performs.

as I add more and more speakers, it may help https://speakerchoices.com/

Somewhere around the JBL and Klipsch Heresys honestly.  The top end Vandersteen are in the range but for the type of music being played I think a horn loaded box that isn't too demanding on amplification is the way to go.