The Vandersteens are very good. You might also try the NHT 2.5i, which may have the best bass of any speaker in that price range. It images great, and is overall very stroing although it is perhaps less refined than the Vandersteen.
It might be even be available new for ~$1k, and used seems to go for roughly $600-700.
It might be even be available new for ~$1k, and used seems to go for roughly $600-700.