Looking for speaker recommendations that I can purchase on Amazon.com

at least it was your choice :) 

lou_setriodes,
You are I think too fast in your scepticism about that Yamaha amplifier. Did you actually read the review of the Yamaha P3500S that I linked to, and the very detailed measurements that the reviewer published? These days I at least rarely see such factual detail in a review. It is a first rate amplifier and fully up to high hifi standards. I therefore bought the smaller P2500S for my son, and I can only confirm that amplifier's sonic qualities.

I'm happy with the Yamaha P5000S.

Among other options, I'm considering the Magnepan 3.7i speakers in the future and I spoke to a dealer today who told me this Yamaha amp would be a very good match for those speakers (or the 1.7i's). They have both Magnepan speakers in their showroom and they have lots of experience with Magnepans. This amp is definitely good with them.

Furthermore, I am very satisfied with this amp for my current speakers. So I consider that amp to have been a good recommendation and a timely purchase. It definitely increased my listening enjoyment. :-)

With all due respect here, troll or not, your wasting everyone's time here, including your own and I'll explain why in just a moment. I apologize in advance for the harsh way this must sound, but my comments are meant in a positive way so that you re-think what you are doing here.

1. You recently wrote, "With so many recommendations for the KEF LS50, it seems like I need to give these a try. I had my mind set on floorstanding speakers initially, but after reading all the recommendations for the LS50 here, I think I will give them a try first.

Even if I still end up buying floorstanding speakers for my music room, I can then put the LS50 in my smaller home theater room to replace my Polk RTi A3’s.

I will call a nearby BestBuy store before buying the LS50 on Amazon. "

So why not just buy them from Best Buy and support the local economy and the person whose time you just wasted? Instead, you're going to waste the salesman's time listening to them at his store and then buy them on Amazon. (and please don't insult my intelligence and tell me you said above that your just calling Best Buy and not going there to listen to them - then what's the point of calling them? Of course you're going to go there and listen to them, so let's be honest)  

2. In reading through this thread, it's apparent that you've spent a great deal of time researching, reading reviews, and listening to everyone else's opinions except your own. Trust your own ears! They are no better or worse than a reviewers. A reviewer might say one thing that sounds very encouraging but when you hear it, you may not like it. Listen more, read less.  

3. And this should be #1 - Your using a frigging 500 wpc, 26 lb Yamaha amp that is designed for professional use in a night club, bar or gathering hall. Why? This website is primarily for home audio, not professional audio, and I'd bet 95% of us, myself included, know nothing about professional audio but can talk to you all day and night about home audio. I'll bet my old B&K EX442 at 200 wpc into 8, 360 into 4 and 75 amps would smoke that Yamaha for breakfast, lunch and dinner any day of the week. Why? Because I once heard it up against tube monoblocks from Paoli (a highly moded Dyna mkIII) and you virtually couldn't tell the difference.  

4. 23' x 21' is a nice sized room, but how loud do you listen that you need 500 wpc? You would be really surprised to hear how loud 1 watt can sound with the right speakers. Get rid of that Yamaha and look for a tube amp because once you hear the warmth and sweetness of tubes, you'll never be truly happy listening to solid state, IMHO.  

You'll need something of decent power in a tube amp, unless you go with a single ended amp and high efficiency speakers. If you've never heard a low powered SET amp with hi efficiency speakers, you are in for a treat and your journey will end there. I once heard a 3 wpc 2A3 amp with horn speakers completely fill up a 40' x 40' room that you were completely satisifed with the loudness of it.  

Otherwise a push pull tube amp using KT88's or 6550's, possibly EL34's will get you where you need to be but I much prefer the SET sound to PP.

Go get the KEF's and see how it mates with the Yamaha for now and then consider upgrading the Yamaha which to me is the weak link here. Let us know what you think of the KEFs. Thanks for listening.

This post is loaded with assumptions.

1. You're assuming he'll call Best Buy to arrange an audition but will subsequently buy on Amazon. 

Did you read his initial post? He intends to buy from one of these two stores. Maybe he simply wants to know if his local Best Buy has them in stock. Most Best Buys don't carry their Magnolia brands.

For most states, Amazon has begun charging sales tax, so there's no longer an advantage in that regard. 

2. You're assuming his Yamaha amp is a weak link. I've compared the lower end Yamaha integrateds to some far more expensive amps and it trumped them in many areas. He prefers his amp to the A-S801, which happens to be competitive with $2K^amps IME. Have you heard his specific amp at length? Many would make similar assumptions about the performance of your B&K EX44, simply because it's old and has rather simple circuitry. 

3. You're assuming he'd prefer tubes over SS. I own both and have heard various implementations of each. Yes, tubes have a unique sound, but many do not find them to be all-around better. Many prefer SS. Some (like myself), even prefer moderate power SS to high-power SS.  I currently have one tube and two SS powered systems, each has its strengths. 

I agree that he should ultimately decide using his own ears, but many do not live near any brick and mortar dealers, let alone one that carries tube gear. It's true that many B&Ms will ship cross-country, but I'd feel more guilty potentially wasting their time (with a return) than that of BB, who employs clueless kids at $11/hour. Kids who spend most of their time aimlessly wandering the store, or harassing patrons by hovering over them, with no useful knowledge to offer.

I don't agree that we should keep hounding him about his chosen retail outlets. He's clearly staunch in his decision to stick with those parameters and we should respect his choice. Amazon and BB (Magnolia) do sell some very respectable gear despite the limited options.

@helomech thanks for the level-headed response. :-)