shersta--
you might want to consider the green mountain europa. like the 2ce's, the europa's use a first order crossover, and the drivers are time and phase aligned. the europa uses excellent quality parts, and has a very full bodied sound. i don't think anyone who has heard them would characterize them as sounding like "monitors." they should also fit right around your budget.
i have owned both speakers (currently have the 2ce's), and i must say, they are the best bang-for-the-buck speakers i have ever heard. right now, i am really pleased with the vandies because, as you say, they have such a musical, full-bodied, nearly full-range sound. it's convenient to have a floorstanding speaker that images like a monitor, yet has usable deep bass response, all in one package. however, the europa's had a lot of the same magic, and had respectable bass for a non-floorstander. sounds like it might be just what you are looking for.
best of luck, and happy listening.
-eric
you might want to consider the green mountain europa. like the 2ce's, the europa's use a first order crossover, and the drivers are time and phase aligned. the europa uses excellent quality parts, and has a very full bodied sound. i don't think anyone who has heard them would characterize them as sounding like "monitors." they should also fit right around your budget.
i have owned both speakers (currently have the 2ce's), and i must say, they are the best bang-for-the-buck speakers i have ever heard. right now, i am really pleased with the vandies because, as you say, they have such a musical, full-bodied, nearly full-range sound. it's convenient to have a floorstanding speaker that images like a monitor, yet has usable deep bass response, all in one package. however, the europa's had a lot of the same magic, and had respectable bass for a non-floorstander. sounds like it might be just what you are looking for.
best of luck, and happy listening.
-eric