Notwithstanding the great suggestions above - perhpas you should add ATC active 20's or 50's to your audition list - you will be surprised - lots of big loud transparent clean sound in a small (but heavy/boxy) package. Neither will win any beauty contest but the imaging and dynamics may be enough to win you over. (I figure there must be ATC dealers in California that would let you audtition, as they seem to be in so many of the film and music industry studios there).
Good Luck!
Good Luck!