Best Speakers under 1k for me

For under $1K? Maybe a different path would give you better results. A Mac. a good sw (e.g. JRiver), and a pair of HomePods would sound excellent. You can pick a pair of HomePods for $300 each at Costco. They will beat any cheap speakers under $1K and possibly under $2K.

Hi , interesting post . How high is your ceiling ? Do you have carpet ? Cloth covered furniture ? Have you tried hanging a couple blankets for a test ? Sounds like you need to address room issues first . I have MK I Omens and love them . My room is 18x20 with a vaulted ceiling and very thick carpet . I have heavy drapes and a huge cloth covered sectional . As far as Zu’s people either Love or Hate them . I have a sub , but don’t really need one . Have you considered an inexpensive tube amp kit ? I rotate between 12 wpc and 60 wpc Tube gear . I’ve also used a vintage Marantz SS receiver and a Modwright 200 wpc integrated . Your question is best answered by Zu, email them . When I contacted Zu about amps , Mr Sean responded  the next day ! I can share pics and a boatload of experience, as I bought used Zu’s and then spent $10k building a system around them . Message me and we’ll talk . Regards , Mike B. 

Jake, I'd jump on these. I am an omega fanboy. They play nicely w chip amps 
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=159971.0

Another vote for ELACs

There is a nice selection of fully warranted floorstanders for $1K or less, including:

• ELAC Uni-Fi UF5 Tower Speakers @$999.98/pair
  
• ELAC Debut 2.0 F6.2 Tower Speakers @$799.96/pair
  
• ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 Tower Speakers @$599.96
  
• Emotiva Airmotiv T2 Floorstanding Tower Speakers @$999.00/pair
  
• Emotiva Airmotiv T1 Floorstanding Tower Speakers @$699.00/pair
  
• SVS Prime Tower in black ash finish @$999.98/pair
  
• SVS Prime Tower in gloss piano black finish @$1199.98/pair
  

The Emotiva T1 got a really favorable review in The Absolute Sound. They also feature folded ribbon tweeters that are nicely extended, fast, and really smooth at the same time.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis961g3-tekton-design-impacts-including-shipping-paypal-fees-moni...

This used one is on sale at 1,200$ slightly over your budget.

But this one will be good.


https://hometheaterreview.com/tekton-design-impact-monitor-bookshelf-speaker-reviewed/

https://www.stereophile.com/content/tekton-design-impact-monitor-loudspeaker

Those Dali Oberons are gorgeous though, shame their not active. Seems like DSP crossovers are the way to go nowadays.

Kef LS50w looks very tempting, and I can spend my amp budget on that.

Sorry for the double post, Audiogon tripped me up with an error message.

@Ashoka thank you so much, that was the sort of "outside the box" advice I was really hoping to hear. Unfortunately one of the locations they would be installed is the double pane window covering half my front wall, so not possible with my set-up.

I'm seeing a lot of recommendations for monopole speakers, I feel like my room is responsible for the muddy, bright, headache inducing sound I'm hearing currently, could switching to an Open Baffle design help?

I just feel like switching my box speakers out for other box speakers will just give me a different flavor of the bad sound I'm hearing now, is this a fallacy on my end?

Very Grateful,
Jake

Thank you so much @ashoka that's the sort of "outside the box" advice I was hoping to hear. As for everyone else, I'm really frustrated because I feel like my room is responsible for my lousy sound so my (rather uneducated) assumption is that buying other box speakers is going to give me more of the same muddy, bright, headache inducing sound in a different flavor, is this a fallacy on my end? 

As far as the in wall speakers, unfortunately one of my speakers is in front of a window so that's impossible with my current setup. Is DSP perhaps the solution?

Having just left RMAF, all I can say is Dali Oberon, which is a brand new line of speakers.  The Oberon 7 floor stander they demonstrated absolutely blew away everyone I know who heard them.  The bass from these things is practically subterranean and the mids and highs were great as well.  If you can stretch to $1,400, they are a no-brainer.  No sub needed for these babies.  They also have a smaller Oberon 5 floor standing model. 

go far inwal speaker Elac Debut iw 6 may be

If you have drywall try In wall speaker where you get full advantage of infinite baffle and no font wall boom or reflections. Elac Debut IW-6 (4inch deep) claims same cabinet speaker performance. but toeing in and determining the placement is difficult before installation, it has to be planned before cutting the dry wall. room behind may experience leaked sound. you can try drywall it self turned slightly to face the listening position.
Also read this
https://www.audioholics.com/diy-audio/in-wall-speakers
https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/truth-about-in-wall-speakersInstalling in wall speakers https://www.musicinstrumentscenter.com/how-to-install-in-wall-speakers/ there are you-tube and web to help.

My favorite system of all time was Dahlquist DQ-10's with a Dynaco Tube amp. I am hoping that these speakers and an amp change might get me back... but much more efficient.

I have a NAD C326BEE that I'm powering them with. The combination might be a tad warm for me, but I think I can fix that with a change in amplifier and I plan to upgrade the drivers. I saw these speakers initially on craigslist for $500.00 and the guy kept marking them down. I had never heard them before until I went to his house to demo. Now I'm a fan. When I've been home, they've been on constantly. I am now looking for a new integrated to pair with them. I might try tubes. Maybe build a SET amp.

What are your impressions of the Zu's you bought?

I would suggest going to the Zu audio website. They compare the Zu Omen Mk 1, Omen Dirty Weekend Mk ll and the Omen Mk ll.
I bought Omen Mk 1 used for $300 and am planning a driver upgrade that Zu Audio offers for 699.00. They refund $200, upon the successful return your old drivers. Also there is always someone there to answer your questions.

The Emotiva T2’s are pretty great for the price, they just aren’t everybody’s cup of tea asthetic wise, as they look like studio monitors.

I'd love to hear about other people experiences with the lxmini's as well.

Do you think they would be a good fit for my room?

If your thinking Zu I’d recommend the Dirty Weekends when they’re available. For $999 they are exceptional and you probably won’t need a sub. 

i don't see a need for a sub with mine.

There is a guy on here that is selling a set of Zu Omen Mk ll for $800. The thread is "Zu Audio upgrade". I have recently bought a pair. I am enjoying them. 

My room is mostly thin drywall if that matters.