Speaker List narrowed down…

I purchased Monitor Audio’s Platinum 200 3G speakers last year. I am still smiling at their presentation. Complicated classical passages remain defined, varried and spacious. Solo piano is amazing. Yet they can rock with the best.  Beautifully made, esthetically pleasing I’m proud to have them displayed in our listening room.  You will need to know if the 200 or 300 3G suits your space. I wish you all the best on your speaker selection.  But again for me, partnered with Pass equipment, I am totally satisfied with their musical offering……

Paradigm Persona 3F or 5F (well below your price limit), available in piano white and many other colors. Slim, gorgeous, high WAF, and sound beautiful. They are made in Canada by a very well respected and long standing speaker company. I have the 3F and am very happy with them.

If you decide to go with the Fynes, PM me. F1-8 walnut.

The PMC fact.12 Signatures meet your specs: Small footprint, available in gloss white, transmission line with "ports" in front so distance from wall isn't so critical, $25k list. 

The sound: Dead-on imaging, sweet midrange and supremely neutral with very linear frequency response. I own these in the metallic graphite color.  As @rpeluso did, I extend to you an invitation to listen if you're ever in the Rochester, NY area.

An interesting challenge - to make a "gathering room" sound as great as a "listening room" (AV Room) - by choice of speakers... no matter the cost (up to $25,000). Not a challenge most would take on - since it’s so difficult to achieve - at any price. Especially... when the final judge is... my wife!

That challenge suggests disaster... unless there is an alternative room for the speakers to excel... if... you’re unable to achieve the objective in the "gathering room!"

Far better to find a system that will sound great for a "gathering room," while not looking like a "system" - which, once installed, will pass the judgment of the "judge" based on aesthetics - which does not "break the bank," and risk losing a significant sum, if the "judge" turns "thumbs down" once installed. I would never risk a $5-10K loss on such a challenge.

I would focus on the aesthetics and seek something that doesn’t look like a "system" once installed (no wires, no components, no huge - heavy speakers) - at a reasonable cost - that also produces good sound for a "gathering room."

While... I achieve "audio nirvana" in my "listening room!"

But... that’s just me... and "my judge."