Sonus Faber Electa Amator III might be worth a look

https://www.sonusfaber.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fa.assets-sonusfaber.com%2Ff%2F259299%2F2560x2450%2F0f10a10bb5%2Fsplitbanner-dm-electa.jpg%2Fm%2F1280x1280&w=1920&q=85

I will contact my actuarial accountant and let him know of my advanced demise… 

KEF Reference 1 Meta bookshelf with OEM stands, $11K.  If you have the right amp(s) to drive them?  

@tomic601 imo, the e1tx floorstander is the sweet spot for tad w.r.t bang 4 buck. I had the original reference og from Andrew in the past for quite a while, but, sold it to finance other things. If you put some effort into incorporating subs with the e1tx and perhaps not listening at rocket explosion levels, you can make it sound like the reference model.

The TAD are lovely as are many of the speakers i have heard mentioned above by others. I do use a JL sub w them and my room volume is 5K cubic ft. Obviously system synergy can ruin / tame / optimize just about any speaker. Finally, without writing a long gushing biased by ownership review…i am impressed enough to seek out more TAD products to audition, add to my systems…including possibly replacing my reference speakers..

I don't understand why the Vandersteen VLR CT's haven't been mentioned. To be honest, I was a skeptic, but when I finally got them it was game over. Add a sub if you don't want to place them near corners, but these little guys can rock. And, considerably less than $15K.

Bob