looking for advice on bookshelf speakers

Timrhu Wow your the first person I ever heard that prefers the sound of a lower line in the Dynaudio product lineup.
As a Dyn owner I agree that turning them up because you want more. With the new focus series out there is a good possibility the dealer may have some good pricing on used.
Xti16

It surprised me just how little I liked the 1.3SEs as I had high expectations. Got a good deal on the 110s so I thought I'd try them and resell them if they didn't work. I do enjoy them though, makes me want to look into the 140s.
Although I don't think my wife would care, the price of the C1s is more than I care to spend. I have considered the S1.4s but was turned off by the 1.3 experience. It isn't the first time I have preferred a lower model in a speaker line-up though.

IMO swapping the tweeter sounds like a bad idea unless you just like experimenting. It would greatly reduce the value of the Paradigms if you wanted to sell them.

Timrhu I've never listened to the focus line because the day I heard the C1's that was exactly the sound I wanted and I didn't want to price justify anything. It was a matter of coming up with the $$$$$$$$$$'s. Got them about 3 weeks later. Anyhow since then I upgraded to the Signatures. Believe it or not they are even clearer sounding. They also sound better at lower volumes but not sure if they play as loud (long story). If you get a chance check out the new focus (supposed to be extremely close sounding to the contours).

I second the Dynaudio.

As mentioned above, the Fritz Carbon 7's would be a good choice in your situation. Audition them if you can.

These test results show a resonance that will irritate some people. I had to leave the room they were in, when I heard them. The one may be right above 20kHz, but is heard by myself, and a young couple (newlywed?) that ordered them without hearing them. This husband and wife couple was trying to find a solution for these speakers they bought, and couldn't listen to. When a metal tweeter does this, some people just can't tolerate it. Link to measurements the couple had.
[http://www.stereophile.com/content/paradigm-reference-studio-60-v5-loudspeaker-measurements] Another model here.[http://www.stereophile.com/content/paradigm-reference-studio20-loudspeaker-measurements]