Advice from apartment dwellers

how big is your room?

when i lived in NYC, had no problem with small/medium floorstanders or monitors. even in my 400sf alcove studio!

i put my floorstanders on Herbies decoupling/absorption discs and it attenuates bass below, bigtime.

I assume you can find a B&W dealer in NYC...and for your style of music...the exposed tweeter series...705/805, etc would be a nice addition...u can always add a sub if needed...note...adding sub doesnt mean eviction...most people turn up volume standmounts to increase bass...one doesn't have to do that with a sub..
nice foundation at low volume...also dynaudio, proac,Sonus Faber,etc

Mdemaio: Full disclosure, I think my NYC upstairs and downstairs neighbors are investors, never seem to be "home." Otherwise some well armed irate people would have stormed my place long ago. More to the point, Melbguy1's mention of Joseph Audio Pulsars reminded me (duh) that I myself have a pair of those here in my office system. Unlike my absentee apartment neighbors, the guy in the next office works daily, and he does not share my taste in music. The wall between us is new, meaning good looking but crap construction. I listen during business hours, and I can second that the Pulsars do a very nice job at low volume. Its a good recommendation. OTOH, nights and weekends. . . . screw'em, I let the Pulsars rip.

@Mdemaio, you're welcome. The Sound Anchors stands are great value for their performance and looks. Good stands with spiked feet are essential to get the best out of monitors. Let us know which way you decide go with your system.

Keith - the room itself is rather large by NYC standards (overall it's about 26 X 12), but it's a grand room that will be divided into sections. The listening area itself, which will be partitioned off, will be about 14X12 or so...though the divider will be open to the room. Whitecap, thanks for the explanation...my apartment building isn't one likely to attract investors, so I'll have actual people living around me. Makes for more interesting pot lucks, provided I don't alienate them sonically. I'll play this one conservatively, as the woman next door makes a mean eggplant parmesan. Interesting Phasecorrect - thanks for the tip...indeed on the "bargain" speakers that caught my eye was an old B&W CDM1-SE, which appear to be a good value used and don't take up much space. Melbguy, I will keep you posted. Decisions soon. Thanks again!