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

@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.

thanks @audiojan and @ja_kub_sz 

sensitivity, ​​​​​​placement, looks are high on my list. I am learning to read the impedance curve! :)

@drrsutliff the Vienna Acoustics are superb value. Not too many on the market here. I see a few in the US at any given time. 

@grislybutter If you’re gonna spend $2k on small bookshelf speakers, you may as well give the OGY a shot. I’m still amazed by them to this day. They just can’t outperform their size and have bass as deep as full range towers (like the KEF LS60). But the magic is truly there. And it sounds even better when you upgrade amps. I went from a Tripath chip amp, to a cheap vintage Continental Edison A/B amp to a Creek Audio 4240. It just keeps getting better. 

@grislybutter Speed Yellow has a little red in it. It glows in the sun. On the road on a sunny day you can see it a light year away.

No! The only Harbeth you are interested in is the P3ESR XD. The small enclosure is almost like having no enclosure at all. Most enclosures including the larger Harbeths are musical instruments, they make their own sound. The P3ESR XD is the closest you can come to a Quad Model 57 and maintain your sanity. Do not let it's size fool you. The limiting factor for most speakers is the tweeter and the P3 has as tough a tweeter as any speaker. It only problem is handling bass which it doesn't. Two subwoofers are mandatory for the best performance, not by adding bass but by taking it away from those little woofers letting them be what they really are which is midrange drivers. That can be done down the line. Two of the little KEF Balanced Force subs make an excellent match. 

Genius? My wife would argue with that.