@pepperinca I’m going to take a stab at this. I had the Lorelei’s, as well, and I enjoyed them very much. Then I heard the Kismet References and bought those. They are everything you love about the Lorelei, but “more”. They go lower, play “bigger”, have amazing dispersion and imaging.
I have heard the Liquids several times at audio shows and a personal audition. The Liquids are everything you love about the Kismets, but “more”. Bigger yet, fuller, same incredible dispersion and imaging. I know that’s lame, but Im not really big on the audio review jargon, etc. I do love big, accurate, engaging sound and both speakers deliver it. The room you want to put them in will make a difference, as placement (of both the speaker and the listening position) will matter.
I’m counting on Klaus reviewing all this and correcting me where I’m wrong, but the Kismet References are monitors. Although they can look like floorstanders with the built in stands, only about the top third of the speaker is “speaker”. The beryllium tweeter (amazing dispersion) and Scanspeak midrange driver with a rear port. The Liquids have 2 midrange drivers and two rear ports. They play lower and “fuller”. They are true floorstanders.
The upgrade from the Lorelei to the Kismet is significant. The upgrade from the Kismet to the Liquid is big.
I hope this helps. Hopefully someone better equipped with the lingo will chime in.
Feel free to ask any questions. I’ll help if I can.