Well we already have the room size, so a bookshelf is definitely it for 14sqm. A floorstander is technically overkill for pure audio but appeals to some with bass hungry ears or for HT purpose.
A 40-60W amp is already LOUD in that room size considering you just need 1W of amp power per 1 sqm of room space (1Wx14sqm=14W) plus allowances for bass, efficiency of the speaker.
Ok now the next step is .. what is your sound character? (characteristic of sounds you like or love to hear?) are you into dark sounding, warm sounding, balanced sounding, or bright sounding?
The sound character will determine your amp+speaker combination
let us redefine the terms
dark sounding = you like bass/mid bass more than midrange and treble (example: drum rolls, bass heavy tracks like r&b,trance,techno music)
warm sounding = you like mid bass and midrange more than bass and treble (example: male/female vocals, orchestra, opera, strings, jazz music, instrumentals)
balanced sounding = bass/mid bass midrange and treble in balanced proportions
bright sounding = you like midrange and treble more than bass / mid bass - more emphasis on 'kalansing'
We all have different preferences in sound character and equipment performance hence the only way around this is to audition speakers and amps with your music.
Bring your favorite CD albums with you when you audition, mix and match gears (speakers,amps) so you get as close to your preferred sound character as possible within your 50K budget.
Character of some equipment brands
A. Integrated amps (20-30K budget)
Harman/Kardon HK980 - dark to warm sounding
NAD 316BEE - warm sounding
Cambridge Audio 540A - balanced sounding
Rotel RA04SE / RA06SE - bright sounding
Onkyo A5VL - balanced to bright sounding
B. Bookshelf Speakers (15-25K budget)
B&W 686 / 685 - warm to balanced sounding
Polk RTiA1 / RTiA3 - bright sounding
Monitor Audio BX2 - warm sounding
Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 1 / Mezzo 2 - warm to balanced sounding
AE Neo1 - balanced sounding
Mission MX2 - dark to warm sounding
PSB Image B series - warm to balanced sounding
Paradigm Monitor Titans - balanced to bright sounding
Again, when you mix and match equipment from the A. list to the B. list, you get a different sounding combination.
So the the idea here is you audition (listen carefully) with the combination from A. and B. so you get to the ideal sound character for you.
Equipment Vendors (suppliers/stores) and their brands:
AVX in Harrison Plaza - Onkyo,Cambridge Audio,Mordaunt-Short,Mission, Polk
5th Avenue Electronics in Makati - Cambridge Audio, Mordaunt-Short
Spectra AV in Makati - NAD, PSB, Paradigm, Harman/Kardon, Onkyo, Polk, Mission
MLY / Grey Market in QC - Rotel, AE, Onkyo, Harman/Kardon, B&W, Monitor Audio, Polk
Audioworld in QC - Monitor Audio
Toyama in QC - B&W, Onkyo
Audible Solutions in QC - NAD, PSB, Paradigm
Next is to select an equipment vendor that will help you out in your quest for your ideal stereo setup within that budget.
The ideal supplier/vendor allows you to listen to the myriad of choices available in their shop / inventory without the sales folks pushing a specific combination which may not even be in your budget or your preferred sonic character.
The ideal supplier/vendor also allows you to audition extensively (more than an hour) without pressuring you for a decision.
Take your time to listen and evaluate when you mix/match speakers and amps. Do not rush into getting equipment that sounds impressive at the first few minutes then find out that its quite tiresome / irritating when you listen to it for several hours.
The ideal stereo setup is a combination that will let YOU enjoy music for long and extended hours without you feeling more tired or irritated after.
Music coming out from the stereo equipment is supposed to soothe and de-stress, not add to the stress or irritation.
Happy audition!
