Best bookshelf loudspeakers under 10,000 for the pair

I'll offer a different view. I have Monitor Audio PL100 II, and to my ears they are great. I have a sub, but they go down pretty low without it. Clear treble, big and deep soundstage, a really full sound. Before I got them I listened carefully to Kef Ref one--was ready to buy based on reviews--found them weak, soft, unclear. Heard some other speakers--Totem Element Fire, kind of vague, and Aerial 5t--thought that was excellent. sonus faber Evolution--that's $24k but demo for 12--top notch and admittedly better than than anything I'd ever heard. 
But I got the Monitors for 1/2 price, only 11 months old. And still think they are great. They are around 6k new now...
Have fun.

From speakers that I've heard:
Harbeth 20.2
Joseph Audio Pulsars
Paradigm Persona B

I ended up with the Persona B's. Sound great with a First Watt SIT 3.

That's Harbeth 30.2

So many options. I use the Adam Semiactive Tensor Delta bookshelf and stand design. A three way with AMT Tweeter and Midrange with a 9" woofer (very light and stiff). This is a front ported design with the woofer being self powered and electronically crossed over at ~500 Hz. The Midrange and Tweeter are driven by your supplied amplifier. The sensitivity is 91 db/1 watt/ 1 meter; so not inefficient. Used this can be found for less than $5,000 but sold originally for ~$10,000. Internal bass amplifier is Class D at 250 watts. I use a Levinson 27 on top with 100 watts and it is delightful. Sound is crisp, clean, detailed and dynamic with no harshness unless the recording is poor or in a nutshell very neutral with and gives you what is on the recording. It can be forgiving but it depends on the media type as well (source). I use Nordost cables.

Good luck on your search!

Sam.

Rushfan, I'm with you.