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Best bookshelf speakers

I’m building my first high fi system after being more of a portable audio person. I want to start with the speakers. Space is limited so bookshelf speakers are a must.

Preferences:
Balanced and revealing with a hint of warmth.
Midrange most important to get right over highs and lows
Timbre is super important - I listen mostly to acoustic music especially jazz
But I do need some bass as I also listen to some electronic music
Smaller is better but SQ is most important
A speaker that sounds good with different amps but also scalable with high quality sources
Wide sweet spot - I wont have money for a great amp at first but want them to be scalable for later

These speakers have caught my eyes - any thoughts on them?

Ascend Sierra 2s - Ribbon = dispersion limitations?
BMR Philharmonitor - See above. Also massive.
Buchardt S400/S300 - Wary of the sudden hype train and limited info
Silverline Minuet Grande - Limited info
Reference 3A De Capo - This caught my eye as a potential endgame speaker if I could blow up my budget a little. But concerns about BE tweeter as well as some potential snake oil stuff (cryogenic treatment (!?)), exaggerated sensitivity claims and wonky measurements put me off.

What else should I be looking at?

Edit: I could have sworn I had <$2,000 in the title... Anyway, my budget is 2k.

stuff_jones
stuff_jones OP
65 posts
 
I'd jump all over the Buchardt S400 in a heartbeat.

Have you heard them? It seems like they're popular with younger reviewers which suggests to me they do bass really well. Have heard much about the rest of the FR though.
cbrents73's avatar
cbrents73
151 posts
 
Why are you limiting yourself to a bookshelf speaker?  A decent floorstander won’t take up any more space than a bookshelf on a stand...you should listen to Paradigm’s Premier 700F=$1600/pr, or if you have to have a bookshelf, listen to the Premier 200B = $998/pr.  
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
Or with a very small footprint, get the cousin, the Silverline Prelude Plus.  Within your budget and pretty sure you can find a gently used pair or a discount for even less.
schwantner
42 posts
 
So I didn't hear much if any mention on Usher, Spendor, Vienna,or Totem.  Some very good stuff there.  But so much depends on the electronics you have with them.  Currently auditioning a set of Boxers (Nola) myself.  Such a difference from the KEF 350s which have their strengths and weaknesses.  About to switch power sources though which will change the game yet some more.  Might be best to audition a set up unless you love the adventure of upgrading and researching and testing.  Then by all means buy one thing at a time.  But enjoy the process don't let it become a drag or whats the point.  I love the auditioning part so maybe in 10 years I will have what I want, but not likely. (insert smiley face here)
ihor
88 posts
 
Given the range of costs of the speakers you mention and especially  your preferences:

" Balanced and revealing with a hint of warmth.
Midrange most important to get right over highs and lows
Timbre is super important - I listen mostly to acoustic music especially jazz
But I do need some bass as I also listen to some electronic music
Smaller is better but SQ is most important"

Seriously take a look at the Omega Super Alnico Monitor.  Midrange is just beautiful; timbre is outstanding - acoustic music (including jazz) is wonderfully rendered; not the deepest bass but more than enough (enough to enjoy a Mahler symphony or the National). Slightly bigger than  your other choices, but in the ballpark of the choices you listed.  I selected these over Harbeth 30.1s after some lengthy, in home, auditioning.  Includes a 30-day money back guarantee, thoughts of which completely vanished once the speakers adequately broken in.  These replaced my Spendor BC-1s and Spendor s5e.

https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/monitor-speakers/products/super-alnico-monitor?variant=321...

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