need recommendations for standmount speakers

I wold still give the KEFs an audition from the jackass. You don’t want to be wondering “what if” after you make your purchase.

 If you happen to prefer the KEFs, buy  them from someone else!

PS, I'm a KEF guy. LS50's at home and REF 1's at the office. I've had both close to a rear wall and didn't think things got too muddy.

Your amp and DAC are not warm at all. I owned both and was happy using them with KEF LS50, though a warmer speaker may have been even better. When I recently went to demo some Luxman amps they used some Harbeths and I thought the Harbeths would be good with the Benchmark. I found the Harbeth fun, not the type of speaker I am normally drawn too, but if I have extra rooms I would not mind having a pair.

Today heard the Monitor Audio Gold 100 speaker. Was very impressed.

KW64 yes the Quad ribbons are different then an AMT driver. 

The AMT driver is a larger folded diaphram usually made out of some kind of plastic  that use small strips of wire to drive the diaphram.

VS

Regular ribbon a flat sheet of metal in  large magnetic field.

VS

Quad Ribbon a flat sheet of metal in a large magnetic field with a very thin layer of plastic bonded to it, hence a damped ribbon.

Advantages: 

Great power handling as the diaphram is less fragile and more flexibile
Greater power handling and output
The damping layer takes out the sizzle quality of a pure ribbon as the metail is not slightly damped, creating a sweeter but highly detailed sound.

Disadvantages

Less top end extension than a 100K rated ribbon

In our experience for the price of $2,500.00 a pair one of the best sounding monitors we have ever heard.

Considering we sell Dali, Kef, Paradigm, ATC, Elac, which all make fantastic monitors that is a big thumbs up.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ