I have to be honest here, i havent really given much chance to anything other than Hertiage and now the Cinema line. Its all about the horns for me. With "bookshelf" speakers, they are just that, not really meant for a big sound stage. It depends on what you want, and by the sounds of it Bookshelf isnt going to cut it for you. I bought my first set of Cornwalls in 1988, and just sold them 2 years ago. With Hertiage, you cant go wrong.
I've heard alot of good things about the Reference line, but can not attest to anything. i have not heard them.
If you could afford and have space get the Cornwall II's hands down, if not then get the Chorus II's or Forte II's, i'd go with all of these over the Heresy's for sure because of the Lower end. With all that said, if i were you, i'd stick with the Hertiage line for sure. they just dont make them like they used to...
my 2 cents...
Not sure where you heard this, but i cant say thats true... Some of Klipsch's best speakers are ported, and also not ported. Its all in the design.
Probably not.