I am partial to ATC as I own one. ATC are very precise and presents music as how it was recorded. with the correct power amp. it will sing. as you have stated you want front standers. the ATS scm 40 will do the job. NOW, another option is to go active rather than going separates (since you do not have an amp as of now) consider going active on the atc,
If budget is limited, then another speaker i will recommend is the Maggie LRS +
and just supplement it with a subwoofer by REL. this combination i used to own and is very satisfying, provided your give it a 1) a large enough room 2) very good amplification,