Speaker recommendations in the $3,500-$4,000 range

I don't think you can come close to the finest PMC studio monitors installed professionally in the US on a $4,000 budget at least not new....but I guess you know this.

I agree with the suggestions already made on this thread so I won't add any specific recommendations.

However, in general, if you are very patient and keep looking, you could do what I have done; buy some old studio gear second hand on audiogon. My plain black ugly big boxes, with a few dings, came from a professional mastering studio. These type items do not sell easily on audiogon for obvious reasons - so just be patient and don't set your heart on one particular speaker.

The Paradigm S4's are great value - this is an excellent speaker. They are about 6 db down at 40 Hz which is excellent for a bookshelf. Some find they sound a bit bright in the top end (this may reflect off your desk). The mid range is known for its excellent clarity.

Paradigm are a serious engineering company which design and make their own drivers.

You won't go wrong with those.

Having read your description of your room, I suggest that nearfield monitors might be apractical solution for you.

Try to audition ATC SCM20-2 or 20ASL pro along with all the other good speakers people have suggested ... they are in your price range (especially second hand) and an active speaker will save you buying an amp (so add that to your budget).

The actives can get more bass than the passives as the 20's do not go very low. They have excellent timbre, awesome mid range, good but not exceptional imaging with a large sweetspot and play accurately at low and high sound levels. Good luck!

I agree with Jack Dotson... good choice....the Energy Veritas 2.4i are great value. Energy were my first speakers (as a student I could not afford more expensive ones). I was very happy with Energy's and still own them. They have a tendency towards boominess in the bass and brightness in the treble and are not quite up to extremely loud levels (sounding slightly compressed). However, for that much quality bandwidth at this price ...they are very very hard to beat... a great speaker in my mind!

BTW: Energy make their own drivers! This must help add to the good value as, unlike many other speaker manufacturers, they don't have to buy the most expensive components to make their speakers (and mark them up a second time).