$35000 to $40,000. speakers what would you buy and why?

@chuck 

I wish you would take some photos of your listening room and create a Virtual System here, I think members could refine their recommended options.

Joseph Audio immediately came out of the recesses of my mind. He still uses his modified versions of Richard Modaferri's patents.

here's a review of his work for McIntosh Tuners

https://www.stereophile.com/content/analog-matters-modafferi-mod

And a list of his Patents

https://patents.justia.com/inventor/richard-modafferi

I owned JSE Model 2's which were made by John Sollecito Engineering using two of Modafferi's patents.

https://holthill.com/products/jse-infinate-slope-model-two-extraordinary-speaker-system

Jeff Joseph was a salesman for Harveys when they were introduced, later he and Richard collaborated and Jeff started his own brand. 

Jeff's designs and quality are far better than anything JSE made.

These are over your budget, or too big for your space, but I heard them at the NY Audio Show (in NJ) this past November, just want others to know about them

I posted this soon after:

1. BEST of SHOW

Robert Lighton Audio, RL12 Speaker System, with External Crossovers

they look like this, youtube cannot sound good of course:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/robert-lighton-audio

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/znTf5DKdxXI

I’m 77, I’ve been to more than a few shows since getting hooked in 1973, heard some remarkable speakers, these are the most impressive speakers I have ever heard. We visited a second time on the way out, I yapped quite enthusiastically for some Podcast.

I went from Martin Logan Electrostats with one sub to conventional Tower speakers with no subs, so, I was in a similar situation...   Speakers are a very personal choice, but, here are some things I noticed:

1.  Conventional speakers may sound a little bright from your current panels because of the focused tweeter.  This is not necessarily bad, but, based more on the architecture change you are making.  Give it a chance before dismissing speakers that may sound initially bright.  Toe in and positioning makes a big difference with "brightness" with conventional speakers. 

2.  For Bass, to make sure you will not want subs,  look for tower speakers with 8 inch plus woofers and a 19 to 20 hz +- 3db rating or lower, ie. consider 8.5 inch and 10 inch woofers..  12 inch can also be great, but, not very common.

3.  Speakers from a specific manufacturer tend to follow a similar formula.  Read up on what that formula is, make sure it is your cup of tea,  and try to listen to at least one of the speakers that the manufacturer makes.  Even if it is not the model you are considering for purchase, it will give you a taste of their sound philosophy. 

4.  Opposite to what you currently have, conventional speakers move a lot of air.  This gives you that "chunk" and "push" that you are currently missing.  Look for that in the speakers you consider...  It is one of the reasons you are moving away from your panels. 

5.  If you are near a big city, for that kind of money, you can punch higher with used speakers on Audiogon and Audiomart.  Of course, they need to be local, so, you can go listen to them.  This is how I did it, and I am very satisfied.

Personally, after many years with Electrostats and a subwoofer, I am glad I moved to conventional tower speakers....  Even though I miss the wide dispersion of the panels, proper positioning of conventional towers with the massive movement of air has left me more pleased with my sound.  

To add to my post above, without subwoofers, Bass satisfaction can sometimes be the most challenging while selecting a Tower Speaker.  So, you could look for a manufacturer that satisfies your bass taste first, then, move up and down their model line to see if you can get the midrange, tweeter detailed articulation you are looking for.  Personally, I selected used Wilsons, but, there are many compariable brands you can try this process on. 

I would definitely get the Vivid Audio Giya G4Cu.  Having lived with the previous version (G4s2), there is nothing like these speakers. Perfectly neutral, engaging and dynamic.  They tell you things about the performance you didn't know existed yet are musically luscious and captivating.  And the 3-dimensionality is the best I've ever experienced.  It's an easy choice for me.