Looking for a great front ported bookshelp speaker recommendation

If you have room adding a sub would really help.  Maybe keep this in mind with your speaker budget .

If you’re open to used here’s a pair of Wilson Duettes that were designed to work in compromised placement situations. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335460734652

@blackiridium If you used to be an Aerial 10t owner, you need to audition the 5t. My son has a pair in a built-in wall unit with his equipment and tv. By toeing in the speakers the imaging is excellent and the sound beats the Harbeths, Spendors and similar British monitors. The ATC speakers are the only ones we auditioned that were even close. Passed on B&Ws because they were too bright. The Aerial does best with an amp with some power. Its sensitivity is only 87db and it is a 4 ohm speaker. Give it 100 watts per channel and it sounds great. 
 

Btw, my son’s room is 25’ deep, has a high ceiling sloping down to the windows on one side and is open on the other side to the kitchen. 
 

https://www.audioadvice.com/aerial-5t-bookshelf-speakers-pair+color-Black

Good luck!

So far my top contenders are:

Proac D2R

ATC SCM20PSL (bass seems very limited on this speaker)

I've also seen a transmission line speaker called the Kerr K300 that could work although it's a bit outside of budget and there doesn't appear to be too much information on this speaker.

it’s a good brain exercise to try to keep up with the direction of this thread.