Bookshelf Recommendations

@mesch....Replacing a well worn pair of Wharfedale Diamond III’s.

Backstory is that my wife retired from teaching last fall, and her former, home office room can now be utilized as a dedicated listening space. The Carver & CJ will be coming out of hibernation to drive speakers more deserving than the aforementioned Wharfedales, which will continue to see service in a modest AV set-up. Far superior to the TV’s built in speakers.

A pair of Sonus Faber Venere 1.5’s just got past me on eBay, so the hunt continues. Still liking the Vandy 1Ci’s, but the Keymaster’s not quite onboard, even though it’s quite modest in size.

Standmounts [of some variation] are the compromise that’ll have the best chance of passing muster.

And yes, I have almost no say-so re the heated sq. ft. areas of my home. Concession to dedicated garage and driveway space for collector car...

The JBL L100's are listed as a bookshelf speaker...... so for one hell of a bookshelf... that's what I'd go with!!

Seems it would be best for you to stick to a stand mount speaker.
Stands need not need to cost that much. Audioadvisor sells a steel 3-column pair for $110. Available are 20 and 24 inch heights. Columns can be filled (one has holes for speaker wire if desired). Speakers can be bluetacked to stands to be more solid.

With your room size some room treatment would benefit. ATS Acoustics sells absorptive material for DIY panels or prebuilt ones. They also can superimpose a picture onto fabric for covering panels which might be more tolerable to wife.

You have been given quite a list of speakers. So subjective a choice I find it hard to recommend. Given your room size I believe you certainly can find a pair that will be more extended and refined than the Wharfedales. I would search out reviews used speakers that sold new for $1500-$2500. Should not need to pay more than 50% retail. Watch those offered on AG and Ebay then research for reviews and specs. Vet seller prior to making offer.

Good luck in your search.  

Maybe, seeing that you are familiar with the wharfedales, you should have a listen to the 225’s? They are far better than the diamond 111’s. I would not dismiss a speaker based solely on what it costs, these 225’s are a real bargain imo, and a steal at the current sale price of 349.99. Not much can touch these at the price. I love them so much I bought a second pair in the event they are no longer available. Mind you, I own other speakers, harbeth p3esr as well as the spendor s3/5r2...but right now I’m enjoying the 225’s immensely. I am driving them with a marantz pm14s1 reference amp. Sometimes I switch it out and drive them with the rogue sphinx. With the sphinx, the bass is incredible, thanks to the sphinx class D and high damping factor. The 225's sit atop atacama Moseco 6 stands (24") and loaded with atacama atabites....biwired with qed silver anniversary xt biwire cables. 

Another vote for kef ls50 I just got a pair off eBay for $725 I'm running them with an oppo bdp 205 and svs prime amp, I think it sounds amazing.