$1000 bookshelf speakers with "recessed", "laid back" or "flat" mid-range?

Vandersteen 1C.Best bang for the buck and really nice laid back sound.

How about these?

https://www.stereophile.com/content/polk-lsiiim703-loudspeaker

Not only are they beautiful but they sound absolutely wonderful for the price.  I’m surprised actually that they don’t have more of a following.  They have a nice detailed top end and a smooth slightly recessed midrange with a hint of warmth to them.  I know they retailed for 1400 or so but can be had brand new for half that on various websites.

I also had the same set of Elac speakers and never did really love them.  They had a weird congested feeling to them at volumes that didn’t seem very loud and became strident the louder the got.  They were quite nice at lower volumes though.  The Polks eat them for lunch.

Thanks. I own Spendor SP2/2 in a second system which can be had used for $500+ and are wonderful.

We used to sell Spendor. Noromance is spot on.

I recently bought some Revel Concerto2 M16's to replace some forward sounding Paradigm's. Wonderful, speakers. Retails for $900. 

Ascend acoustics Sierra2ex 

stay away from metal drivers.

Seas A26 are stupid good for the money

noromance made a great suggestion. I owned a pair of s3/5’s,(which ultimately lead me to Graham Chartwell LS3/5’s) A very magical midrange.  I had both in my listening room for a while. I found them to be more alike than different. The Spendors were VERY enjoyable. At least to my ears.
    

Thanks guys for the suggestions. 

If you want really laid back, get some Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand Speakers. A little too laid back for me, but very easy to listen to. 

There's a pair of Spendor S3/5 for $450 on the gon.

Canton speakers are pretty neutral and just a tiny bit on the warm side.  They also produce a lot of bass for their size.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantvento836.2blka/canton-vento-836.2-7-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-black-pair/1.html

If you can bump your budget up a bit:

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantventoref92dcblka/canton-vento-reference-9.2-dc-7-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-piano-black-pair/1.html

dougsat, thanks for the recommendation. I actually read about them last night and they seem like a good candidate. Cheers!

Hey guys, thanks for your responses. First, I am fine with the treble response. I am not saying the speaker is bright or harsh. It has a way too forward presentation to my taste and I simply looking for a more recessed presentation in the midrange. For example, with the Elac, when you start cranking up the volume, the vocals, guitars, etc become so prevalent (in your face), to the point I don’t like it anymore. This does not happen with the Pioneers.

I tried different positions and different gear with them. I am pretty sure it’s the nature of the speaker. This reviewer describes what I am talking about here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiMfuXJpbqs.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fantastic speaker. I am just looking for speakers that does not have a in your face presentation in the midrange.

You might also look at your upstream components. The speakers may be simply reproducing other issues which you are trying to fix by changing the output transducer (speaker!)
However, your Elacs are cheap and cheerful budget designs... 

https://www.cnet.com/news/the-definitive-technology-d9-speakers-sweet-sound-tickles-your-ears/

These as reviewed seem to be what you’re looking for,
definitely worth a listen. Plenty of in home options of buy and try too.  

Have you tried toeing the speakers out a bit? 

Don't laugh, but if you use the grills, tape some tissue paper to the inside blocking the tweeter. Start thin and add layers to suit.