If you will be listening at reasoanble loudness (<90dB), I suggest DIY Linkwitz LXmini + Phoenix (alt) OB-subs - in that price range. Like being on the stage when listening to acoustic performances, and asking yourself, where does the soundstage end? However, they are not best at reproducing a rock concert front row experience - for that, find some Tekton DI's. If you want deep bass authority without seperate subs, try GoldenEar Triton series (anything 3+ and above - price used).
Sound Stage and Imaging
I love speakers who 'paint a big picture' (I am literally closing my eyes and trying to SEE a picture). Therefore I THINK I like to see IMAGING and BIG SOUND STAGE. And also like DYNAMICS.
Being frugal (just not willing to spent audiophile level money on it), I love to persuit 'bang for buck' solutions in general.
With above goals in mind for a speaker: what hits the marks in the low fi (audiphile scale) $2k (used or new) budget range. (I have 2 setups: one HUGE room, one 20x20).