Large listening room

Ok, have done some experimenting and here is where I am now:
Tried dragging a small chair out in to the middle of the room (leaving the speakers about 3ft from rear wall). That was an improvement. It would be much cheaper to buy a comfortable chair than new speakers.
But - also listening to full range speakers in hopes of generating a more room filling sound. Have heard Vienna acoustics Beethoven baby grand, Maggie 1.6, B&W 804s and 802d. Will also check out Usher and Dali.
I was really struck by the physical sensation of a kick drum with the Viennas. But the set up was poor and there was no imaging. I am going to go back and hear them again. The Vienna sales manager (Sumiko seems to hire very helpful folks) said that I would be very happy with the Beethovens but even more so with the Mahlers. While it would be tough to be sales manager if that was not your opinion it still was nice to hear.
The B&W were set up in bad rooms at a home theater store that makes their money selling plasma TVs. The B&W's were powered by big McIntosh monos. Even the 802d's seemed "ordinary". This was supremely disappointing because I went in there with the subliminal desire to be blown away by the 802d's to such an extent that I would be compelled to find a way to afford them. I will have to go up to Austin to hear them at another dealer in hopes of getting a better sense of what they can do.
The Maggies provided the best sensation of "through the back wall of the room" sound staging. The electronics for the Maggies were entry level arcam. But at the end of the day I will never get something that looks like the maggies past the "in house decorating committee."
Next, I will hear the little Usher Dancers on Monday. They have a rep for producing a big sound for their size. I am also told that there will be a $5kish new dancer floor stander coming out soon and I want to see what all the "Be" fuss is about.

Don't give up on the Maggies! I've had the 3.5's and since upgraded to the 20.1s. IMO nothing fills the room like Maggies. They are available in great black/cherry trim motif. A reputable dealer should let you experiment with them in your own room. Our room is 21' by 35' and the Maggies have NO trouble with that!! The in-house interior decorator committee listened to them, compared the sound to our friend's $50k speakers, couldn't hear any appreciable difference, and went for it. Adding the Mye stands will give them the stability that they need when little ones are present. WAF was high on the Mye Stands as well.

Jimmy,

Do you really just want loads of impresive bass? Think carefully what you want in a speaker over the long term (some midrange perhaps?). Your concern about lack of bass from the 805's may be driving you to over compensate by seeking the most bass you can find. Just two cents but think carefully - there is more to music than just a kick drum - what about the rest?

Shadorne-
Of course you are right. I wrote down my first impressions after the initial demos. That is all. What i really want is bigger soundstage, more complete range and a speaker that sounds as "right" to me playing Tool as Tori Amos.
Oh yea - and it has to look good and cost about 5 or 6k.

Jimmy,

I am not trying to tell youu what to do - just to keep youu clear of the minefield. The danger with demos is that "impressive" wins over "right" - all too often!