the big one: how do you choose speakers? By what features, data?

@grislybutter My 911 is Yellow! 

If imaging is your priority and with your situation there is only one way to go, The Harbeth P3ESR XD. Put them on stands exactly where yours are now and enjoy. Later you can add two subwoofers to the mix with a two way crossover. This lowers distortion in the little woofers of the P3 and raises headroom to an astonishing level. Close your eyes and you could easily imagine you are listening to a Magico or Wilson loudspeaker! Not Kidding!

I am wearing a Grateful Dead T shirt. 

@grislybutter

I go by...

1. Have I heard it and like it, with amplification I’m familiar with?

2. Looks, do I think it looks good?

3. Porting and placement, where will it (can it) go?

4. Specs last for me.

I have worried in the past about recommended watts/RMS before regarding speakers but haven’t been disappointed when I’ve kinda pushed the limits of a few speakers I have.

Happy hunting and good luck!

The only measurements that I find of any value is the impedance the phase angle. A flat impedance curve with minimal phase shift makes for a very easy load, opening up all kind of opportunities with amplification (think single ended triods for example). A impedance curve that has lots of low drops and especially when combined with significant phase shift is much more difficult and requires an amp that can handle this (think old Krell or current Gryphon amps).

Then the sensitive comes into play. A very easy load with high sensitive (Zu Audio for example) makes it a perfect match to low power amps and as a matter of fact (and personal experience) might not work well with a high power amp (in my case, the volume control of the integrated amp was simply too sensitive to either it was too loud and one click lower and it wasn't loud enough). Low sensitive combined with a difficult load and you will need a monster of an amp with lots of power, but even more so lots of current.

@mijostyn

I am very impressed. I 100% agree with you, the P3ESR XD might just work its magic. You are a genius. (Now, about the 911, I question your color choice... but I will let it slide)

My favored brands, in addition to Harbeth, in the 2K used price range:

• KHL
• Buchardt
• Amphion
• Q
• Revival (no used, yet)

I wonder about Zu, may be too big for my small space.

I have to say: Harbeths are so ugly, they are almost pretty.

Hawthorne has a pair of Harbeth Compact 7ES3 for $2500

If you can find a pair to audition I recently listened to the Vienna Acoustic Haydn Grand monitors.  They were sitting next to a pair of $13,000 floor standers that I thought were actually playing when I entered the room...  Very dynamic and room filling with a good touch of warmth.  Retail can be below $2,000 I was told.