My Demo results: I feel like I'm at a frustrating block in my speaker journey

djones51
Having the sofa in front of the speaker I think you would get better results using bookshelf and sub.

+1 😬

Attempting to mix Home Theater and stereo audio is usually a disaster. You want stereo audio? Get rid of everything and start from scratch. No flat screen, no HT receiver, etc. Otherwise you'll be down this rabbit hole forever. 

Harsh but true. Ask me how I know ;-)

Mjt8, I love your post and, if you truly went through all the trouble involved with arranging demos of all or even most of the speakers mentioned, I am blown away by your tenacity.  Your post is perfect for driving audiophiles crazy.  Perhaps you should change your handle to "Goldilocks".

Firstly, here's an axiom for you to cogitate:  There is no such thing as a perfect speaker or a speaker that does it all, especially those in the price points you've been exploring.  (Acoustic suspension design generally does very well for reproducing the sound(s) of an acoustic guitar.  I play a 1972 Gibson.)

Secondly, probably more than any other audiophile component except maybe tube, solid state and Class D amps, speakers are an intensely personal choice.  Some ears prefer sound signatures others eschew and so forth.

Thirdly, perspective in photos is always difficult to glean but your listening set-up appears to have some definite challenges.  Virtually all listening rooms do.  It's difficult to estimate how close to the back wall those towers are.  Some speakers, including stand-mounters, need more breathing room than others.  I'm going to assume you took all of that and many other basics into consideration, although it certainly does seem a little more reading and research might help, judging from the extremely wide disparity of speakers you've been auditioning (e.g. speaker break-in; component-matching; etc.).  The lovely, plush love seat appears very close and directly in front of the left channel, which also appears to be in a corner.  Generally not a good idea.  The "sweet spot" for music listening appears to be the left end or section (from seated perspective) of that lovely, plush couch, which looks right.  I assume that's where you've done or have been doing your critical listening.  The wall cutout behind the couch/listening position is a definite factor but I think a good one for what appears to be a relatively small listening room with conventional 7' ceiling height.

Anyway, you've already received some very good feedback in this thread and again, considering the extremely wide disparity of speakers you've been auditioning and the multitude of other variables that need to be considered in order for you to achieve the sound quality you can live with contentedly, my advice would be to seriously consider an in-home consultation from a bona fide, qualified, trusted, experienced, professional audiophile, sound engineer, etc.; not just any yahoo from a local stereo shop but someone who actually knows what they're doing and can readily understand what you're after.  That, alone, will likely save you lots of time and dough compared to the endless search you've already embarked on.

Finally, out of curiosity, please let us all know when you've found the speakers that make you happy.  I'm especially interested as I am also embarked on the same quest.

Happy Hunting!    

Forgive the mistype but I meant to say that I own the ML 35XTs and they are the ones that are currently $400 each. Not the new 35XTi model. Also, I could be mistaken but the ceiling height definitely looks to be a more normal 8-9 feet. 

The 35XTI seems to have very pronounced mids 800-1800 Hz, like a plateau, which may be what you are looking for. Might not sound correct with recordings that already have full energy in this range.