I’ve learned that I have to hold something in my hand, set it up and use it, live with it for a little while, before I know if I’ll like it. Some of that is build quality and control feel, some is sound, some is ineffable.
I know this is easier for some than others, but I would try. Get used gear and resell it when you’re done. It’s really worth it. It’s the only way to really grow in this hobby.
A pair of these mounted in some simple DIY open baffles. The coaxial OB sound was eye-opening (ear-opening?) when I put together my first pair.
The speakers ‘fill’ the room with your music in such a satisfying and natural way, you forget about them altogether. The build is as easy as you could ask. No crossover, no cabinet volume, porting, polyfilling, or bracing to worry about. If you can build a wood panel that stands up (or hangs suspended), you can build open baffles.
Add 2-4 subwoofers with DSP, and you’ve got an even, equally room-filling low end, which, admittedly, is something open baffles struggle with on their own.