Need help determining next upgrade - 3rd ATTEMPT

I had midrange "congestion" issues with a pair of Vienna Bach speakers that mystified and bugged the bejeesus out of me...just a lack of clarity. In any case, it was out the door for them and in the door came a pair of Silverline Preludes that utterly showed it was the Vienna's fault (could have been a component in the crossover simply needing replacement)...with an issue as obvious as that I doubt power conditioning would help much as often the effects of un-conditioned AC are obviated by the time it gets through an amp, so get thee to a new speaker.

Nice link Rodman, I'll research room treatments. Also have looked at power upgrades. Entry level looks like $800 or so for new power strip/wall plug/cables. Also have gotten an estimate to run a dedicated line. Schubert, planning to audition the new Focal 906 standmounts. I run a 2.1 system so full range speakers are not totally necessary, providing I can integrate the sub with the new set...

Actually, it could be a number of things....one, or many. I would start with the simplest at first ..... cover any windows (glass), aim the speakers at your listening position, put resonance control feet under your turntable, cd player first...then preamp, and power amp. That will get you better sound....then upgrade (not necessarily more expensive) power cords. Power conditioners never worked for me.

Have you played around with speaker location, like maybe a few feet from rear wall or so? Possibly a tad closer together in conjunction as well. Speaker location relative to walls is a big factor usually for good separation and sound stage. With that, can also come less congestion and better detail.

Start with a good mono recording and get a solid and focused image between the speakers first. Then try some things in stereo. IF mono recordings are imaging clearly that is usually a good omen for stereo.

After that, you might try some sound absorbing panels or other sound absorbing materials or room items at first reflection points along the walls based on your primary listening position.

Then any other tweaks if still needed from there.

Wolf-Garcia, as usual, has told you like it is .
I've been listening to speakers for fifty + years, 98.9 % of the time a smeared or "washed" out sound on massed strings in a symphony is traceable to a cheap crossover .
Cheapest brands I know about that don't use them are Silverline and Totem.I suspect Focal doesn't as well, I know my Focal Titus 202 monitors don't smear.