trying to upgrade speakers

There are several other options out there. The Escalante Design Juniper, Eben Emilie S-2, Chario Pegasus, Wharfedale Opus 2 or 3. From what you mentioned in your initial post the top 3 I would choose are the Eben Emilie, Ecalante Design Juniper and the GMA Callisto.

Check the Green Mountain website. There is a dealer in New Jersey that is recommended or call Roy or Janet at Green Mountain for more info. The new website is in the works and new dealer list is coming out soon. The Calisto throws a huge sound stage and deep bass with the dual bottom ports. I prefer the Calisto over the Maggies and Eminent Technology LFTIII that I owned.

http://www.greenmountainaudio.com/

Good luck!

Lee Landes at Landes audio is in Chester NJ (908) 879-6889
and his store is not an hour from NYC, he also sells the Eminent Tech so you could do a head to head right in his store, he is a really nice guy to hang out with aswell, he is firmly in the first order cross-over camp aswell as tubes, but other than his firm opinions he is a pleasant and smart man.
P.S. his room won best in show in NYC this year, if you do check him out, tell him Chad sent ya

had a chance to hear the eminent tec lft 8
loved the sound but a little concerned about the low sensitivity and the difficulty in setup.
i have a musical fidelity x-150 int amp
would apreciate anybodys comments

And you didn't consider the Spendor 8se's to be an upgrade? Maybe try the older Sendor 1/2's (there is a dealer in southwestern CT - not far from NYC) or the smaller version if they have it. I think this would give the bass and midrange you desire. BTW, have you listened to Vandersteen's at Audio Connection in Verona?