Standmount speakers 4k-8k


On the lookout for standmount/bookshelf in the 4k-8k range. I've now got Monitor Audio GX-50 which are great for the price but I'm looking higher now. 
So far I've heard Aerial 5t, Totem Element Fire and Kef Reference one. The Kef's offer a huge sound, but are, hard to describe it, a bit grainy in tone. The Totem are sweeter, but a little dead sounding. The 5t were really quite good--fast, clear, lively. None of them had noticeably better bass than what I'm using now! so I'm still in the hunt. 
Very interested to know if anyone has heard the new Monitor Platinum II line, particularly the 100s, which are what I'm interested in. 
I'll be listening to some Focals soon, and Dynaudio. 
Any other tips? I need to get something fairly small, and very conventional looking (that's why not listening to BW D3). 

Thanks folks. 
rsg
128x128rsgottlieb
I work for a dealer, NJ based Audio Doctor, and you have to hear the Paradigm Persona B and 3F floor standing speakers before you decide on any other speakers and we have no skin in the game it sounds like you are in a different state! We just showcased these speakers at the recent New York Audio Show.

The new Persona use the most advanced drivers currently on the market and utilize a pure 7 inch Beryllium midrange driver mated to a 1 inch pure Beryllium tweeter. 

Beryillium is the most perfect material for making a loudspeaker driver cone out of it is significantly lighter and is much greater in rigidity than aluminium, or titanium or woven carbon fiber or graphene derivatives. 

Never before have drivers of this quality been seen in anything below $25k speakers! 

The Persona series throws a huge sound stage and are very transparent, with remarkable midrange clarity without any hint of brightness or artficiality to the sound, they sound more like what you would find in much more expensive speakers then what you get for the price with the Persona. 


auditory, I stopped in your room at the show and really liked the sound of the Paradigms. I later looked up the Persona B model hoping I could afford the smallest model but at $7K a pair retail, they are (still) well out of my price range.
UPDATE: 
I've taken the advice received here and started with improving my amp. Dealing with audiogon makes it financially possible. Just today got my Sony AE1, which is not very old, for 1/2 price. 
And you guys were right, makes a big difference. 
I've got an T and A cd player coming; and the monitor audio PL100II, all bought for remarkable prices. 
Systems sounds better already but I suspect that 
the best 
is 
yet to 
come!
in that price range, id want to try:
vivid 1.5
harbeth shl5+
proac d2
graham ls5/9
amphion argon 3s

I don't own either, but would suggest the Penaudio Cenya or Cenya Signature. You'd have to drive to Nashua to Fidelis AV. I'm not affiliated with the shop, but did spend a fair amount of time listening to the Cenya Signatures while shopping components. Fidelis also carries the Harbeth line (they're the importer), which are worth checking out as well.