Based on your reasons for disliking Time, I'd go with Shimano SPD-SL over Looks. Look cleats tend to wear faster, and when they start to get worn, clipping in gets tricky. Also, the newer grip style Look cleats (while have much longer life) require a little extra accuracy for clipping in over the non-grip ones.

The platform and hang of the Shimano and the KEO Max pedals are comparable. Older style KEOs have slightly smaller platform, but I haven't had any problems comparable to a tiny contact area like regular SPDs.

Also, Look pedals tend to wear out faster than Shimano, at least the composite ones. I'm not sure about the carbon ones, but the rear retention piece (under spring pressure) will get worn with KEOs to the point where clipping in is again a problem. I'm not sure how much of the wear on the rest of my composite pedal body contributed to this. In any event, I had to start really pushing HARD on the pedal to get it to engage. I guess my first set lasted about 2 or 2.5 years. I haven't heard of this problem with Shimano users. I have with other KEO Sprint (composite) users. Since it seems to be the rear springy plastic part, I'd guess that it would also wear out on the carbon pedals.

I don't have good knowledge of Speedplay.