New to this hobby please help me

Don't overthink it.  You're on the freaking West Coast.  I think you have more places/choices to look at quality audio than almost anywhere.  Avoid influencers like the plague. People like Jay Iyagi, "Is this the greatest?", every other week, or Ron, who has made some really bad personal choices(I don't trust him), or any influencers; by definition, they're not there to suggest what's best for you.  Once you go down the YouTube Rabbit hole, you'll just be more confused.  Go and listen to lots of equipment, start trusting your own instincts, and listen to the advice these dealers give you.  That, in a way, is just as important as the audition; to get a handle on being told the truth and not.  I like to get a sense of whether the salesman is telling the truth about what he really thinks is good, regardless of whether you agree with it.  My Single Malt guy and I have different tastes, but he knows what I like and steers me in the right direction.   And that he listens to what you're trying to achieve. the goal in your system.  

If you're using these for movies, you're probably going to want something that gets to reference level or you might be dissapointed, based on your preferred listening levels.

OP: goldenear t66,

what is stuck in your head? the deal, or did you hear them? and instantly love them?

Is it possible they sounded far better than your existing? That's great, but maybe many other speakers would have the same improvement, even sound better, in any case even work better with your existing AVR. 

What's stuck in your head?

JBL’s, either new or used. An excellent overall speaker!

@fiesta75 Sorry but I have to disagree. Around 2000, I bought a pair of JBL bookshelf speakers and they were the worst speakers I’ve ever heard. They were bright, flat and made a lot of rattling noise. Fortunately the store took them back. Then I found a pair of Monitor Audio GS 10’s for the same price and they were much much better.