Advice for bookshelf speakers


It is time for me to consider getting some new speakers and I'd like some advice.  This is a secondary system where I watch movies the majority of the time but I still like the speakers to sound good on those occasions when I listen to music. I need to replace my left, center and right.  The speakers I am replacing are KEF XQ1s and an XQ2C.  I can live with just a left and right if the manufacturer does not make a center channel.  These will be driven by an AVR, not separates and will have a sub to pick up the lower frequencies.  I have some WAF dimensions that need to be adhered to: 9"-10" from the back wall, no taller than 17" and the left and right tweeters will be 55" apart.  I would prefer there not to be a precise sweet spot since we sit in various areas on the oversize couch facing the speakers.  I'm not really too hung up on budget.  Somewhere between $2-4K total would be where I would like to be.

 

Given the above, I was thinking about sealed or front vented.  I don't think rear vented would be good for this situation but I could be wrong.  I have only done internet viewing and no listening.  I have looked at Salk's website and have also thought about ATC and ProAc.  I've also looked at Ascend (too narrow of a sweet spot?), Fritz (rear vent), Watkins Generation 4 (are these vented?) and others and just wanted to bounce it off this group. Thanks in advance.

dlm110

 Buchardt Audio S400 MkII speakers might fit the bill. They can be placed near the wall as they have a rear passive radiator and not ported; I have mine are about 1 foot from the wall. Great little speakers, $2,000 per pair, 45 day test trial with $100 restocking fee. Love mine paired with a Denafrips stack (Iris DDC, Pontus II DAC, Hades pre-amp, and Thallo amp)

Forgot to mention before that the Usher Mini-X DMD speakers have a matching center with the same drivers including the diamond tweeter despite the misleading “BE” in the model name…

https://www.usheraudio.com.tw/portfolio-item/be-616/
But if it was me, the Mini-X is so good at imaging and dispersion I’d start with just the two front speakers and see how that works.  Unless you’ve got someone way off axis I can’t imagine the two stereo speakers not being more than fine.  Just filling in the gap of my info from before.  And again, best of luck. 

For your use I think Polk l200 or R200 would be a good choice. With a matching Polk center.

you might want to check out the XTZ Spirit 4 - checks all your boxes:  size, placement, sound - watch Andrew Robinson's review, he preferred them to the Buchardt S300, as do i - outstanding clarity & soundstage - they also have a matching center Spirit 8