Sounds like you need to figure out what you’re chasing.

Maybe spend more time seeking out listening experiences - concerts, hi-fi shops, other people’s setups, etc. or do more critical listening of what you have, then evaluate what’s “missing” and go from there.

You could also experiment with you already have - speaker placement, room treatment, room correction, etc. You might have what you’re seeking already, it’s just waiting to be setup properly.

Get the speakers. See how they sound with your Yamaha, then go from there. Only change one thing at a time. And only change something if you know it will improve your setup. Don’t chase maybes or the new hot thing.

9 feet for me

I’ve tried several floorstanders and even more bookshelves in my room. My best bookshelves just never sound as large as the floorstanders, though they beat some smaller models. Haven’t messed with a sub, rather not deal with the setup when I’ve got floorstanders that make me feel I don’t need one.

Bookshelves sound great in my bedroom though. I’d say room size is the biggest factor.

Off, because it looks better and more fun to watch the drivers. My dog somehow knows to respect the speakers. He even listens sometimes.

Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their women

How do you handle cabling or changing components?

People still use iTunes?