Can you have too much speaker presence?

Yes, too much can be an issue, definitely. I keep mentioning them, but that’s OK because they are timeless classics: the Epi 100 are 21" tall and about 10x10 side and back. They are big enough to sound beautiful and full, and small enough to be super versatile and practical in real life.

Also, a big consideration for speakers is How do they sound off-axis, outside the sweet-spot...? If they’re only great in one particular seating position, then they’re not great for life. So as you audition, stand off to the side and see what happens. Smaller speakers can be remarkably great for off-axis, as their cabinetry can get out of the way.  @audioman58  +1 for that

Size matters.  Buy the biggest speaker your will (wife) will let you have.

Sensible advice. Just because you have a bigger speaker doesn't necessarily mean you have to drive it as hard as the smaller speaker. Both speakers at the same listening level would be an interesting comparison. I highly suspect the larger one would sound better.

Define "presence" before we can answer.

At the same volume I can confirm that in my case the taller towers offered a more solid sound than the smaller ones, with more weight to it. Both really have the same kind of imaging, depth and soundstage but the smaller towers presented it on lighter footing even played at the same volume. Meaning the tall ones have more "presence" so I do understand what that salesman is talking about. 

As I see it there is "Large Speaker" sound and "Small speaker" sound.

The difference primarily being the chest impact a 15" speaker makes

when it moves a higher volume of air than a 6" speaker can.

I enjoy my 2 way speakers supplemented with subs so the whole

frequency range is presented. The impact of being there will not

be the same with smaller speakers. But the clarity & soundstage 

can be every bit as good or better.

I can not enjoy 70+dB sound levels for long. It literally hurts my tired ears.

But I can enjoy music at 65 dB which many of my friends can not.

From my way of thinking if a speaker can not sound good unless it

is blaring it is a poor speaker. If I am listening without any discomfort

at at a level say 75-85dB then I credit the system for producing sound

I can enjoy at higher than normal levels.

In other words it is a great system.

Make any sense?