Find some VonSchweikert VR1s. You can find them for a bit over your range, around 400 or so. Very efficient at 90 db, wonderfully smooth crossover, easy to place in any room and sound good, can place close to wall with a really small rear port. Fairly deep bass for the size (down to about 45-50 hz) and a smooth tweeter. Amazing sound stage and imaging for the price. I have a pair I was using in my small living room system with a 100 w amp and it cranked. They may not be quite as forward as you might like but you should consider as they sound so good with rock, acoustic, folk, bluegrass, jazz.
Budget minded bookshelves
I'm beginning to build my budget college setup (I'm a freshmen) and am really confused when it comes to speakers because there's just so many choices. I already have an Onix SP3 MKII integrated amp and a Fubar II USB DAC. Right now I'm looking for some decent bookshelf speakers in the $3-350 range used. That price does not include shipping. Any ideas? I'm looking at mainly B&W DM602s and PSB B25s. Since I'm around 150 miles from any kind of dealer auditioning isn't an option -- but I'm okay with buying and trying, and selling if necessary. None of the dealers I can find have any "low-end" stuff in stock.