I'll defer to Wirecutter here as they have always done a good job in my experience! Note that some of those bookshelf speakers will require a separate amp.

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bookshelf-sp...

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-spe...

I'll also be a bit heretical here and suggest that EQ is important. Either in software, or with something like: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-spe...

However... if you're happy with your current speakers, perhaps there's no reason to upgrade! A lot of the choices I've linked to above will come with an increase in size and/or complexity. And I think those Edifiers are pretty well regarded in general.

While better than typical hifi rags, wirecutter and the like are still entirely subjectivist and rather off the mark more often than most. My point above was to lead by measurements of some sort, and places like Audio Science Review provide just that.

EQ is absolutely important for the vast majority of systems. But use proper PEQ that has been derived from measurements and don't just wing it by ear. Just as important in most environments is using some sort of room correction.

I agree with everything you said. Sometimes I do just send newcomers to Wirecutter if it seems like they're just looking for a recommendation (along with some lite foundational knowledge) rather than looking to really get their hands dirty with the hobby. It may or may not be the right call. But thanks to you they've got a couple of paths from which they can now choose.

I'd ignore any reviews that don't provide a host of measurements. Even well intentioned subjectivist sites simply get it wrong more often than right.

Go here, sort by price, and follow the preference score, then read specific reviews for more detail about their strengths/weaknesses:

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?pages/Rev...