Bookshelf speaker recommendations

If you could bump up the budget a bit...

@glennewdick thx for sharing. The recordings are great. For the money, I think a used pair of Dynaudio Evoke 20 and Monitor Audio Bronze 100 6G are really jack of all trades, solid performers among the bunch.  But, again, if you could bump up the budget, MA Silver 100 7G is still your best bet if you like its presentation.

op - If you keep high expectations but set a low budget, you might as well raise your budget and let everyone around here know who is trying to help. For example, someone suggested the SCM7, but then you said you preferred the SCM11, which is 100% higher than the budget you initially specified. I suggested lower-priced speakers, and then you were interested in SF Sonetto II that are 130% more expensive.  I'm not saying you need to agree with our recommendations—audio gear is subjective, after all—but at the very least, you should make up your mind to avoid wasting everyone's time here.

OP, if your bar is set high, that’s great. Consider setting a higher budget to accept suggestions that meet your expectations. Push your envelope to where your point of diminishing returns lies. I went through a similar process and ultimately settled on the Buchardt S400 II, which is priced right around $2.4k. The SCM11 was also on my radar but was ruled out primarily due to its limited low-end extension. I prioritize soundstage and tonal balance with nimble bass, a full midrange, and airy highs. For me, the SCM11 falls into the restricted low-end category and wouldn’t be my cup of tea, even though it is a competent performer in the rest of the frequency spectrum.

Back then, I also asked for help from Audiogoners, but I was honest with them about my budget being around $2k. I had an initial list of choices, and Audiogoners helped me fine-tune and narrow down my options to three. The process is much more straightforward and smooth if your goals align with theirs. Don’t aim too high but settle for less—you’re wasting not only your own time but others’ as well. No offense intended, please.

I personally like speakers to roll off at around 60-70hz at -3db slope (??).

You mean -3db / octave 'slope' at 60-70hz OR roll off 3db at 60-70hz?  I never saw that preference mentioned anywhere in your post. It would be easier for those who want to help if you made it clear, wouldn’t it? That’s not a hard/high goal to achieve. I believe you can find a pair of good speakers within your price range that also meet the high expectations I mentioned above. I wish you luck.

I'm not sure if you know what you are talking about.  Take scm 11 that seems your favorite as an example (the chart above is its sum).  Scm 11 is a two way speaker with the x-over around 2.5 khz, not 60-70hz.  Second of all, what do you mean by "-3db is the xo point bet. two bands"? you mean 3db dip at xo point? (see the chart above).  And lastly, "not the slope. I would have said 3db/oct." db/oct is a slope.  You got that all messed up...  anyway good luck