Best stand mounted monitors


I need your help please as I'm replacing my floor standing KEF Ref. Series 104/2 speakers with stand mounted monitors and probably a subwoofer due to the wife-acceptance-factor. I'm looking for comments from people who have listened to and hopefully compared the following monitor speakers that I'm considering:
(1) REFERENCE 3A - MM Decapo i
(2) PROAC - Response One SC or Tablette Ref. 8 Signature
(3) VON SCHWEIKERT - VR-1
(4) REVEL - M20 or the new M22 due out Q1 '04
(5) ATC - SCM 10-2 or SCM 20-2 either active or passive.

Other things you need to consider before offering your advice:
--> I will be replacing a very old Sherwood receiver with a new tube preamp and either tube or SS amp. I'll get the speakers first and then match the amp to it.
--> my room is about 4,800 cubic ft (40*15*8) and is average "aliveness" so having a higher sensitive speaker (e.g. >89dB) is desirable as it'll will mean less power required. I listen mostly to jazz with some R&B and classical.
--> budget is around US$2K-$3K (new retail price)
--> Id like to buy a REL subwoofer to match (e.g. Stadium II or III)

Many thanks.
kevinzoe
Wow, lots of good feedback to my post - thanks all for your contributions! Some new names I'll check out including: Green Mountain Audio, JM Renaud, Usher, Shamrock, & Pen Audio.

General question to you all is did you buy the speakers & amp at the same time or did you buy one of them first and then later 'match' the other to it?

Thanks for your thoughts
keivnzoe
I bought my speakers first because of its size (always the wife factor) I then got the amp to match the speakers. Sometimes it is easier to find an amp than a pair of speakers you like ( due to size, appearance, or type.)
Yes, be sure you at least check the Green Mountain Audio
Europas before spending bigger bucks. I absolutely love mine and will have to upgrade my rather modest source and amp soon to realize all they have to give.
buy speaker 1 get hooked on quality replace everything else.
buy amp 1 keep for 5 years
sell speaker 1
buy speaker 2 keep for 4 years
sell speaker 2
buy speaker 3 keep for year
buy speaker 4
buy speaker 5
buy speaker 6
sell speaker 3
sell speaker 5
buy amp 2
sell amp 1
buy speaker 7
sell speaker 4
sell speaker 6
buy speaker 8
sell speaker ? tbd. depends on job related move or not
Joseph Audio RM7 Signatures
Why has no one mentioned these babies?
Try them, I think you will find as I have,
they are to die for!

Regards,

geoh