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

I’ve been to two audio shows this year, Florida and Axpona, and listened to hundreds of speakers, cost no object.  

While there were maybe three sets of speakers I’d take home without any additional auditioning needed, again, cost no object, but if I had to pick one, it would be an Aretai speaker.  I heard the Contra 200F’s at the Florida show..stunning speaker. I fell in love in about 5 seconds. As we walked into the room, the person I was with looked at me and we both had wide eyes and jaws dropped. Wonderful speakers.  I can’t imagine what the Contra 350F’s would sound like, but the 200F’s sounded better to me than any of the mega systems on the first floor, easily.  

https://aretai.com/

The other nearly as stunning set of speakers I heard are made by Perfect 8.  At the Florida show I heard the Cube-T and at Axpona I heard the Cube-S with what looked like their matching subwoofer. Stunning speakers..again, regardless of the mega systems on the first/second floor..which I don’t find the least bit engaging, at any price. 

https://www.perfect8.com/

My biggest take-away from audio shows is the overwhelming number of speakers that sound exceedingly average..even the biggest name darlings that most seem to love. Yes, they sound  very good & clean and most often the cabinets(where much/most of the money is invested)  are top notch, but the sound, compared to speakers that make your jaw drop, if you can find them(which is VERY tough) is..average. This includes any speaker in the $20K-$75K range, or higher.  ...just my opinion..

I don’t expect you to follow-up on these suggestions as people tend to pick equipment they have easier access to, but, if I were in your shoes(currently looking for endgame speakers), finding a dealer for either of the brands I’ve mentioned, particularly the Aretai, would be well worth booking a flight to hear them. Given the money involved, an airline ticket is just the (minimal) cost of finding the right set of speakers. 

@ronboco 

I am using CH Precision electronics and Wireworld series 10 cabling.  I am upgrading to Lyras and hope to receive them this month.

@hk_fan 

Nice! I’m sure it will sound amazing! 

+100 what kennymac wrote

beyond that… I also agree with phusis

@chuck 

Since you liked the Maggies, except for the bass, I would urge you to consider refurbished Apogees or similar newer speakers.  You could save a lot of $$ buying these:

https://skyfiaudio.com/products/apogee-acoustics-full-range-aka-the-apogee-speakers-spectacular?srsltid=AfmBOopcaoxmegg3zMDvr-Jw8edaMVP6jiRnSpvZ7eykmPMR5fBLmlMg

Refurbished Divas would be a comparative bargain, and probably good enough for most audiophiles.  Apogees like high-current amps.  I'm not familiar with yours, so keep that in mind.  The refurbished Apogees are more efficient than the originals.

The newer companies may be making a great Apogee-like speaker, but who knows how long those companies will be around.  I'd go with the used Apogees, but I haven't heard the newer brands.

Having used planar speakers for decades, I don't think I could be happy with conventional speakers' soundstaging.  But I guess it depends on one's sonic priorities.