Monitors that compete with quality floorstanders??

Why won't you consider augmenting with subwoofer? Even a tower speaker with built-in powered subwoofer can't do what monitors plus subs can do. There's far lower cabinet resonance in a monitor and it's easier to place bass generators where they work well with the room while placing the monitors where they image the best.

You could, for example, get a pair of KEF LS50s, which are class A sound down to around 60 Hz, and have the rest picked up by a good, fast sub or two.

I still don't get why subs are out of the question. I sometimes think one should start with the subs to define how you want to pressurize the room, and then get the stand-mounts that finish off the overall sonic picture.

I already had my subs when I got my Mag 1.7s. I knew they would be articulate and fast--up to the task, and would energize the listening space. The naysayers kept warning me that Maggies are too fast for most subs, but I was right. They blended seamlessly from the get-go and provide the fullness, dynamics, and drive that bring out the best in the Maggies. For the record, I have a pair of out-of-prouction Mirage MM8s, tiny 9" cubes with 1200 watts peak power (380 rms) with high excursion 8" aluminum cones with two matching passive radiators per cube. They don't do much below 35 Hz, but what they do from 35 up to wherever you need to cross over is magic. I cross over around 50-60 Hz.

I loves my Maggies, but the subs pretty much obliterate the downsides people talk about--dynamics, extension, sensitivity, etc.

Czarivey was the first to mention the obvious choice, the Totem Mani-2 Signature. There is a pair currently for sale on A-gon in your price range. Furthermore, here's the Stereophile Review, plus measurements, plus updated measurements from 2009. The averaged response curve is remarkably flat, and indicates an honest -6dB point of 28 Hz. This would be excellent bass in a floorstander, but is totally remarkable in an 8.5"x16.5"x12" monitor.

PS: I have no affiliation with the seller listing those Mani-2's.

Sunnyjim: How can you say that the Totem Mani-2 Signatures are overpriced if they do something other monitors can't do at their price--provide true deep bass and room-filling dymamics from a stand-mounted monitor?

The Joseph Pulsar also qualifies, but it's $7,000.

If you want a stand mount with a full bass for less, there's the GoldenEar Aon3, but those are only $1K/pair. They *do*, however, give you excellent imaging and dynamics plus the tonal balance of a mid-sized floorstander.