15k USD Speakers for Classical and Pop Extended Listening, Near setup, Low volume

@akg_ca @ghdprentice - I think both of you are suggesting bookshelf. I currently have a pair of Jamo C803. If I want to upgrade my setup in the 10k range, what do you suggest?

For a room that size and for the music you mention, I would highly recommend looking into the Vivid Kaya 25. It has the speedy performance of a high end bookshelf with better bass extension through a bottom firing port. They are slim and easy to move around, and you will have the right amount of space for the air they need around them. You may be surprised at the way they charge the room without bloat, and you may not need subs. They deliver higher resolution and fidelity with lifelike presence and holographic imaging, and they won’t be as beamy as KEF. 

I wouldn’t characterize them as warm, though, but to me Vivid speakers are as natural and transparent as they come. They will tailor around the amplification they are paired with, and they are not hard to drive. So if you want a warmer sound, pair with a good Class A solid state or tube amp and you’ll be set.

I am a Vivid Audio dealer, so take that how you’d like, but I’ve tried everything from the small Kaya S12 (which I use very near field in my home office) to the Giya G1 Spirit, which I use in my reference system.

@akg_ca Are you speaking from experience? of doing this in a small room. If not then you need to understand the issues of a desk, monitors, and others reflecting in front of you. That will be worse than elevator music.

@ilikeclassical I gave you a link to my buddy who is in the audio business with some background info on his audio skills. I got an enthusiastic stamp of approval from him on the LRS+ setup. My prior setup with the Thiel CS3.7 was not really that good and he told me so. I ended up doing a lot of changes in furniture positioning, dsp, reflections etc (no gear changes) to improve the CS3.7.

My rear facing setup is so good that my 2-channel setup rivals my RAAL earphone setup. People I know have dumped their Magicos to go with the RAALs.

If you plan to place your speakers in front of you then look at something that you can place on your desk or even the Vandersteen mini thing that goes on the ceiling. It will all be a pale imitation to what I am suggesting with the rear facing setup.

I have not tried the Vandersteen (not a fan of the sound) but I have tried Audience 1+1 | KEF LS50 | Audioengine A2 on my desk and they were universally mediocre. I did not try it on front of me since I intuitively knew it would be worse than on the desk with the issue of reflections.