Bookshelf Recommendations

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.

If you appreciate midrange transparency and detail with richness and emotion check out the Salk Bagby Continuum-
comes very close to the legendary Harbeth P3ESR at less than half the cost.
Much more natural sounding than the LS50s IMHO.  
http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=Bagby%20Continuum

@mesch: Thanks for your follow-up. Those are suggestions I’ll def pursue, and as I’ve enjoyed success with pre-owned over the decades [sole exception, a Linn Lk-140], it’s especially important now at my age, income, and rather modest level of discretionary income to $tretch my purchasing power.

@audioguyguy85: The praises you’ve sang of the W-225’s have not fallen on deaf ears. Because I’ve been inundated by suggestions—and I truly appreciate them all—I let a pair of preowned, but still NIB, slip by for < $300 bones (including shipping) last week.

You guys and everyone else on here are great. I feared my question might illicit some pedantic, derisive responses, but to a person they’ve been positive, courteous, and extremely helpful🔈👍

But I gotta do this thing soon, and get offa here. For some reason I’ve taken a liking to ML & Krell power amps since poking around these parts. I have neither the need nor dough for an amp of that caliber, but rationalizing non-essential purchases is an insidious weakness that I’ve battled since upgrading from a perfectly serviceable Technics SA-5060 receiver to a Kenwood KA-3500 way back in ‘78...

If interested there is a pair of Usher be 718 tiny dancer on us Audio mart for $900, pretty good deal. Owned some years ago,they go down to 40 and are very musical, very transparent, maybe a tad tipped up but very nice speaker, they do like current.

Grea debate!  I owned the LS50's - lovely to look at but, in my 12x12 room - the rear port-itis made me want to tear out my hair!   I just could not take the puffy low-end.  I'm a retired drummer and dislike that kind of bass playing sound.

I recalled the sound of my previous polk LS9's as working better.  Finally found a used pair in excellent condition.  After trying way to many speakers in there, the polks ended up the keepers.  For now!  drumbe