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
@flatblackround
As I’ve been given over 40 speaker choices claiming to all be "the be all end all", Hijack away! As the OP, I’ll start off. To me it means a warm sound, not analytical, that can be played at low levels with all the nuance. Involving is a good synonym..And above all else not boomy on the low end and not piercing on the high. And yes if the pair were female (in my case) well then....
The larger Spendors or Sonus Fabers can be both warm and inviting, yet also high in resolution and imaging ability. You'd never guess it by looking at them but the aforementioned Spendor SP100s are capable of incredible imaging when setup correctly. Allegedly they somewhat reduced the hot tweeter voicing in the new .2 D series.

If you didn't have a stipulation of full-range, I could recommend many other models and brands. 
Forgot about the older Spatial M3s. Those would also be a good choice. Maybe the new Spatials also but haven't heard any of them.
Janszen Valentina P8 (passive) or A8 (active). They are floorstanding, inconspicuous, provide plenty of bass (depending on positioning), and image til the cows come home. Available for home trial.

Unfortunately the Web site doesn’t currently have a page on the P8. But you can email or call, and David Janszen will get back to you.

You can find reviews under "Janszen Valentina" and also under the previous name "Janszen zA2.1".

Photo at an audio show.


The OP left out a crucial detail: POWER.  What amp will be used to power new speakers ?     

My suggestions are a pr of Magneplanar Panels,  a pr of King Sound electrostatics, or a pr of KEF Blade 2.   

All will I’ll need a lot of power, and can be driven by tubes or SS.