Seeking advice on Speakers that create an intimate 2 channel listening experience


So the past month I started a couple of threads on speaker choice on AVS forum (One asked for Powered/Active floor standing Speaker choices and another one around non-active FS speakers for a tube amp I was looking at).

But I've come to realize this was the wrong tact, got lots of flack much deserved and wanted to try to solicit the advice/opinions on this forum which I just discovered.

Short background...Hunkered down in a suburb just outside NYC now for the past 3-4 months, I started to get the itch for a dedicated 2 channel stereo Turntable setup in our living room in May. After much research and twists and turns and immediate upgraditis, as some know on here from other posts, I've finally settled in and now own a Rega Planar 10 Turntable. I also own a Sutherland phono --20/20 with LPS and that's staying. Right now the phono preamp is hooked up direct to a pair of ELAC ARF51 floorstanding speakers (all drivers powered by built in AB amps) which I like a lot BUT ITS HERE THAT I WANT MORE. Btw, I love the ELAC design of mounting the tweeter concentric in the mid driver -- makes sense to me.  I kinda wish ELAC would take the same design and make a reference speaker but thats for another day.

So to swap out the ELACs, I will obviously need an amp, but I will figure that out later and want to focus on getting the right speakers for me for what I want. So what do I want?

1. Floorstanders. Close to full range as possible. No subs.
2. Looks count since in my main living room.
3. Speakers that prioritize Imaging Imaging Imaging. That disappear in the room creating an intimate but 3D listening experience. Clean (Accurate) warm sound. No distortion. I would easily sacrifice low end for untiring highs and warm mids I don't listen to metal or hiphop anymore so I don't need loudness, more like lounge experience if that makes sense. Apologize if I got the adjectives wrong but its personal description of what I'm seeking.
4. Price Point - -$10k-25k. Room is 22x18 with 25 foot ceiling

I would like to audition/demo before I buy and since I live in the Tri-State area it should be possible. But I'm finding that obviously difficult to do right now. I listened to a pair of Salk speakers but didn't love them. And have an appt with the Audio Doctor in NJ in two weeks.

Thanks in advance.
aj523
I personally believe that what you seek would be satisfied by Dynaudio speakers.  The new Contour 60i (arriving to the US in August, replacing the highly reviewed Contour 60) may be your ticket.  Retail price is $10, 750.  If you can find a dealer who still has the Contour 60 in stock then I recommend giving them a listen.  About the smoothest sound from mid range to the top end.  And with a ton of very good bass.   Construction is excellent, from internal to external.  Finish is as good as it gets.  The gray oak lacquer is stunning and a must see, in person.  I have a pair of the 60i on order.  Read the review on the Contour 60 by Soundstage Ultra.  That review sums it up very well.  Best of luck to you.  Enjoy the music.
+1 to Maggie's. With your budget and room you can go pretty high up the product list as well as match amps to them.

Do people actually think Maggies are aesthetically challenged? Haven't heard that in 45 yrs in the hobby. At worst, even as if as they are, they disappear in a room - in black. I will say the creme colored panels with walnut looks like a '70s European kitchen. 🤮
Another idea, if you push your budget and/or get a good price the Borresen 01 have gotten grat reviews and I've read about many people saying the bass is much better than you would think from the size. I have heard a larger Borresen and they were great.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0720/Borresen_Acoustics_01_Monitor_Review.htm
Has anyone compared Magnepan to Martin Logan? Both electrostatic dipole panels but ML took the hybrid approach and uses a traditional box subwoofer for the bass.  On Magnepans website they take an indirect shot at ML basically saying they could have chosen that path but didn't think it was optimum.  Result - Magnepan is a much bigger obtrusive speaker.  But is it sonically a notoceable difference 🤔