Floorstanders vs Bookshelf

I doubt this is a floorstanding versus book self issue. Given your space I think floorstand speakers are far more appropriate.

For an audio system ten feet is a long way. I have a very high end system and my triangle (typically the appropriate configuration) is 8 feet. Away from the wall is almost always better for speakers. 

As for the headaches. I would guess this is a combination of electronics and speakers. It is likely your source is noisy and full of high frequency hash… which is then amplified. You may not directly “hear” it… but this is the stuff of fatigue.

What are all your components.

I’ve had headaches with a couple speakers before. The Triangle Borea Br03 was the last one. I liked the sound but it just was debilitating headaches. The Monitor audio isn’t as bad but my ear drums feel like they are on fire, even at low level cymbals on these especially hurt. Anyways not sure I’ve had a bunch of concussions over the years so that might factor in.

my wife is more worried the floorstanders she is finding it too much compared to bookshelf when she wants to watch quietly from 10 feet away in the evening so I want to make sure that is ok.

My music isn’t great, it’s mostly iTunes purchases and cd rips from years ago in amp3 or loss less. My electronics are the Lyngdorf tdai-1120 amplifier, then to an LG c1 tv with an Apple TV if that matters. Speaker cables are svs cables also. 

she wants to watch quietly from 10 feet away in the evening 

Do what I do. A nice stereo with floorstanders and sub, then a soundbar when I don't want to be bombarded with a wall of sound. 

Op,

Well, honestly this is pretty budget gear… and typically if it fails… it fails with the result of a lot of high frequency hash.

The volume control should satisfy your wife if the sound does not have a lot of high frequency hash (women tend to be much more sensitive to this). Typically good quality electronics will get rid of the problem… but I think speakers would be your first best bet.

I would start by looking for higher quality floor standers. Like Totem, or Sonus Faber… not B&W. You want warm and punchy. But consider spending some money on them (like a couple grand). I think you are stuck between consumer and high fi.

Since your amp has a streamer… switch services to Qobuz. It is a audiophile service. Then you can be sure the in-ut is good. Apple is not great.

if all this fails… then you are going to have to upgrade the lyndorf.

so it is not a budget sytem (maybe for millionaires) it's a pretty cool amp. 

I used to have Monitor Audio Silver speakers, they were very cold sounding, precise but not warm. 

You could go for used, or demo speakers, floor standers tend to lose way more value than standmount - hence cheaper

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