Speakers under $5000 maintained a reputation for quality sound over the last 15 years.

I'll second the Phase Techs.  I have the PC 60 speakers (with subwoofer with built-in crossover) and they sound great.  I did replace the drivers several years ago (the foam surrounds had deteriorated) – the good folks at Phase Tech had them for about $100.00 each (they had to make up the subwoofer for me, but it was apparently no problem).  Still going strong!

No, they are not as good as my current daily listeners (Harbeth P3esr with REL t51 sub), but they only cost $650 (back in '84, equivalent to about $1600 today, about half the cost of the Harbeths/REL).  Amazing value!

Magnepan and Klipsch....

@waterzlife 
" My best friend had Sound Lab A1's.  WHAT THEY COULD DO!

For fun...we played 350 w/channel into each - and played an excellent recording of a steam-powered ralroad train approaching at max speed from afar...getting closer ( you start to feel vibrations in the floor) ..closer  (the house's wooden floor is rumbling now)....closer still ( the floor is shaking -...the train roars past ( the floor is threatening to rip away from the walls !!!!)  .  I WAS SCARED OUT OF MY SHOES!!!  
                    Neither of us had the guts to do it again."
You made my morning!

Wilson Benesch
ProAc
M.Logan
Sonor Audio Claro 6.2 or 8.2
..
Sonor Audio is from South Africa.
Incredible value for money.
They also have a hybrid integrated amp there called the Predator and a BlackWidow power.
This drives ML and the rest stunningly. Exceptional detail and control.