Bookshelf Speakers - $500-$900 range


Just looking for something that can provide a little more clarity and soundstage than my current setup in a medium sized room (!3x17) with high ceiling.. Music preference is rock, hard rock, acoustic music, and female vocals. Will probably be used with a NAD or Rogue integrated. Have the following on my list (new or used as long its within $500-$900 range):

Monitor Audio GX 50
B&W CM1
B&W CM5
Totem Rainmaker
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1
Kef LS50
Sonus Faber Venere 1.5
Focal Aria 905

I know the recommendation will be to listen and compare them but I'm trying to dwindle the list down. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
benfica1
You can't go wrong with ELAC Uni-Fi BS-5 designed by Andrew Jones for $499!!!  Andrew Jones has designed these to sound as good or better than bookshelf speakers costing 3 times as much.  In my opinion, no other speakers come close in this price range.  If you want a real bargain, get the ELAC Debut B-6 for $279 a pair!  You simply must read the ELAC reviews or audition them (if possible) before you buy ANYTHING else!
In this price range, U would go with old B&w Matric 805's especially since you have a sub. 

**ELAC dealer disclaimer**
When I first started carrying Elac, I compared the smaller UB5 to the CM7s.  Despite the huge difference in price, the UB5s not only compared favorably, but 4 other listeners heard the comparison, all found the UB5s to sound better in almost every performance metric.  The bass was more delineated, focused, and midrange was cleaner.  There was less smear everywhere, the detail was better...it was amazing to compare a $500 bookshelf to $2200 floor-standers and come away with that conclusion.  The UB5s perform better than speakers 2X-4X their cost.  UF5s are cleaner still in the bass, though not that much more extended than the UB5, and the UF5s offer up a larger soundstage.  I compared the UB5s to the CM5s as well, but that wasn't fair.  The CM5s sounded broken compared the UB5s.  It was as if the UB5 was cheating.  I highly recommend adding the Uni-Fi series to your list.  Good luck on your search.
I recently bought the Focal Arias 905s. My budget was $500 and if you look online, you will see the Focals on sale for $499 on many of the sites. They were better than the Quads, Elacs and others I listened to.