Recommendations for HiFi Listening Room

+1 To everyone stating about investing in room treatments. A $20K system in a mindfully-treated and positioned room will sound exponentially better than a $35K system in an untreated room (even if positioned well) as the room shapes the sound between the speaker and your ear. 

I would also urge not only to listen to speakers first, but if possible with different amps, or ensure the amp can properly control said speakers. I have sound very expensive speakers sound terrible with the wrong application, and I’ve heard very cost effective speakers sound great with high quality amplification. 

@brewerslaw In what city/state are you located?

The paradigms are too small for a room that size. Something like the Klipsch Cornwalls will work nicely and are in about the same price range. They also require a lot less power. They will make the amp you have sound more powerful. I would still add subwoofers down the line. That is a larger room with a very tall ceiling so you are going to need sound absorption in a few places. You will need much less with the Cornwalls because they have controlled dispersion. The Paradigm are not controlled and will require more room treatment to sound good.

We're in Appleton, Wi.

If you've never heard Magnepans, do so before you buy. They are worlds apart (and better, IMO) than boxes.

Go listen to some systems and bring your own music. I’d think Milwaukee must have a decent audio dealer, and it’s definitely worth a trip to Chicago and check out Holm Audio, etc. as there are several good audio dealers there. The more systems you hear the better you’ll be able to develop your own sense of what sounds to to you and for your particular tastes, and no one can tell you that except you so go out there and have fun listening! The more effort you put in upfront the more rewarding your results will be, especially of this is a system you’ll be living with for many years.