Musician vs. audiophile

+1 Russbutton

Your “sizzle” remark is right on the mark. I would add that most high end sells sizzle too. Choosing the goldilocks sound (neutral overall - not too hot and not too cold) requires discipline and careful selection through audition of many tracks. B&W and others sell based on sizzle.

Imo, the correct solution; time for a hybrid speaker system. Consider a hybrid horn along the lines of the PureAudioProject Trio15 Horn 1 (reviewed). You will not find agreement on sound between the dynamic and panel sound, likely�. A hybrid can get you there. It's not a matter of sound quality�, but technology employed. It has not so much to do with the subs, amps, etc. YMMV

The entire system can be taken up several levels of sound quality, if you wish to pursue it. If you approach this with the correct perspective, you can achieve far more satisfaction for both of you. 

Odd that the OP has not chimed in again at all
What started out as a fairly interesting technical thread with some great posts seems to have devolved into more one of semantics and opinions, not that there is anything wrong with that of course.
OP may be genuinely busy as it that time of year.
Does remind me though of throwing a bone out and letting the dogs fight over it.........

We need direction here. My wife, a musician and says my Sophia 3s, powered by BAT 3VK IX tube pre amp and 250w solid state amp sounds flat compared to a freaking Best Buy box store McIntosh/Martin Logan setup... I can't honestly disagree, specifically when our rig is at low volume. It lacks color and punch, even with 2ea. JL 12" subs... Help me with your recommendation, please!!!

 

@OP Repeter
if you live in an area of the US that is at least 15 degrees Celsius at night (right now); I am willing to come there and fix your problem for free, ......but you will need to cover my flight, room and board, and .........."Misc" expenses. 8^0
fwiw -
you need to live south of Nashville. I got invited by my daughter to go listen to country music on New Years Eve. Her fav Keith Urban + others. I checked the weather and (minus) -3 degrees C - no thank u.

Hi All, Well... I appreciate everyone's input, from family counseling to power at my 110v outlets!  I'll take a first crack at delivering technical info so questions are answered;  The Power amp is a solid state VK-250, fed by a VK-3IX with Sovtek tubes and no Bat Pak. Cabling from pre to power amp would be Nordost.  Could these long (2 meter) flat silver (Ag) play into flat/dull performance at low volume?  FYI, I used them to drive my Sophia 3s and Geoff Poor (BAT) recommended the massively improved Audioquest CV-8s.  So.. Could driving my power amp with these be a weakness?  Onward, The speakers are in a decent location each spaced 1 meter away from side walls and 3 meters from a irregular back wall, room in front of them is large and very broken up.  I've dialed in the angle and distances.  When listening anywhere near a central listening perspective and moderately high volume (above 20 on power amp) the presence,sound stage and fidelity is amazing, however, no
punch and bass thickness without the JL's involved.  Thanks for now all, I'll be studying input with more detail and return with specific responses to valued posts.  Happy New Year