Glad you were able to get a good demo with the A100 and both bookshelf and floor standing speakers. Gives you an idea of what to expect with each type of speaker.
Floor standing speakers tend to need a bit more room than bookshelf speakers. If they are too close to a wall, they can sound somewhat boomy. Bookshelf speakers can suffer that too, but it varies depending the spec, brand and model. Some will perform well even when close to a wall, whereas floor standing speakers, well I don't think any would really. Putting floor standing speakers in the corners of the room isn't the best placement, but maybe a foot away from the walls will give them enough room so they don't sound too boomy. Ideally though, I think maybe a foot from a back wall with a few feet from side walls.
If giving floor standing speakers enough room is going to be tricky, then bookshelf speakers and subwoofer will probably be the better option. QA's 3000 range gets a lot of good reviews. The 3020's will be less affected by placement compared to floor standing speakers. According to What HiFi, the 3020's aren't particularly fussy about placement.
I'm not sure the 3020's are necessary though if you're adding a subwoofer, and smaller speakers may suit a desk better. I've got some Roth's on my desk, which are the same size as the 3010, but I don't have a subwoofer. They are just right for me. I do have some larger speakers, similar size to the 3020's, and really I didn't think the placement on my desk really did them justice compared to where they normally are located; on stands either side of my TV cabinet. Plus they looked too big on the desk anyway.
One thing to bear in mind is, if you like the idea of getting floor standing speakers, but are unsure whether placement will be ideal; remember that you'll likely be buying used speakers. If you get them and you find they aren't what you hoped for, because of possible placement issues, then you'd be stuck with them; unless you can sell them on. With new speakers, if you're not happy for whatever reason, then you can return them; whether it be to the shop if you buy them in store, or online with the distance selling regulations.
If you are confident floor standing speaker placement won't be a problem, then I guess it comes to which location for listening to the speakers, is preferable for you.
As for the speakers you mentioned, both 603 S2 and BX5 get many good reviews. I think both were around £500 when they were released, but the BX5 I'm sure got heavily discounted before or around the time they were discontinued. I'm sure they were £250, unless I'm mistaken. They were £400, before that, so I think £300 used is too much.
Not really sure whether £250 is about right for the 603 S2. They are quite old now, although it is true that good speakers that are a few years old are still good speakers. I saw on another site that someone mentioned they were worth about £230 used 10 years ago. I don't know if they have held that value or not.
Floor standing speakers tend to need a bit more room than bookshelf speakers. If they are too close to a wall, they can sound somewhat boomy. Bookshelf speakers can suffer that too, but it varies depending the spec, brand and model. Some will perform well even when close to a wall, whereas floor standing speakers, well I don't think any would really. Putting floor standing speakers in the corners of the room isn't the best placement, but maybe a foot away from the walls will give them enough room so they don't sound too boomy. Ideally though, I think maybe a foot from a back wall with a few feet from side walls.
If giving floor standing speakers enough room is going to be tricky, then bookshelf speakers and subwoofer will probably be the better option. QA's 3000 range gets a lot of good reviews. The 3020's will be less affected by placement compared to floor standing speakers. According to What HiFi, the 3020's aren't particularly fussy about placement.
I'm not sure the 3020's are necessary though if you're adding a subwoofer, and smaller speakers may suit a desk better. I've got some Roth's on my desk, which are the same size as the 3010, but I don't have a subwoofer. They are just right for me. I do have some larger speakers, similar size to the 3020's, and really I didn't think the placement on my desk really did them justice compared to where they normally are located; on stands either side of my TV cabinet. Plus they looked too big on the desk anyway.
One thing to bear in mind is, if you like the idea of getting floor standing speakers, but are unsure whether placement will be ideal; remember that you'll likely be buying used speakers. If you get them and you find they aren't what you hoped for, because of possible placement issues, then you'd be stuck with them; unless you can sell them on. With new speakers, if you're not happy for whatever reason, then you can return them; whether it be to the shop if you buy them in store, or online with the distance selling regulations.
If you are confident floor standing speaker placement won't be a problem, then I guess it comes to which location for listening to the speakers, is preferable for you.
As for the speakers you mentioned, both 603 S2 and BX5 get many good reviews. I think both were around £500 when they were released, but the BX5 I'm sure got heavily discounted before or around the time they were discontinued. I'm sure they were £250, unless I'm mistaken. They were £400, before that, so I think £300 used is too much.
Not really sure whether £250 is about right for the 603 S2. They are quite old now, although it is true that good speakers that are a few years old are still good speakers. I saw on another site that someone mentioned they were worth about £230 used 10 years ago. I don't know if they have held that value or not.