Recommendations for bookshelf speakers


I hope some of you knowledgeable folks can help point me in the right direction here. I've just sold off a pair of venerable old Celestion SL600s to a friend who's setting up her own system. I've been using these for casual listening, mostly as computer monitors (YouTube mainly, and some streaming broadcast services, with very occasional forays into higher-res formats) and as musical as they are, I think it's time for something more modern and more efficient.

Well, this is where I get lost. I'd like something that approximates the Celestions' musicality, but scouring the internet for information on speakers of appropriate size and price (I can go up to about $1000 for these) just seems to muddy the waters. I'm happy to go with either used or new. A few that I've looked into but been put off by various aspects of their reviews: Monitor Audio Silver 50 and RX1, Polk Audio LSiM703 (there's a really good deal on these on Polk's website, but they're quite a bit bigger than I'd like), various models of Elac's bookshelf speakers, PSB Imagine Bs, and even a few used B&Ws, a brand I've never really liked all that much.

I'd be grateful for any suggestions you might have. There's an endless variety of speakers out there and I feel I've barely scratched the surface. Your suggestions would be gratefully received. Thanks!
cooper52
I don’t see where you mentioned your equipment setup.  I am really enjoying my ELAC Debut 6.2 bookshelf speakers with my CA Topaz SR20/ NAD 7020 and Linn Axis turntable.  
I recently bought a pair of JL Labs Focal Aria 906 speakers and I really like the sound I'm getting. They are efficient and if you look you can get them for well under $1,000. They did take some time to break in though.
My last system was with Vandersteen 3A signatures, Aragon 8008BB power amp & Adcom GFP-750 Preamp. Current system is Maggie 1.7is, PS Audio Direcstream DAC & PS Audio BHK 250 amp.  My bedroom system is a Nuforce STA 200 power amp with a pair of Focal 706s. These are amazing speakers & I got them for $450 a pair new here on Audiogon from  Canadian dealer. I have not heard ANYTHING remotely this good up to $800. I chuckle every time I hear them. Punchy, clear, revealing, delicate, open & with good imaging.  No brainers at $450.
My favorite bookshelf speakers right now are the Focal 906. I have used them as near field listening monitors for PC, as L/R paired with a PS Audio Sprout 100 in a 2 channel configuration, and as Surround L/R in an all Focal 5.1 configuration with a Yamaha RX-A1060 AVR.  I have never been disappointed, in fact they rival their tower big brother - the Focal Aria 926. I am positive you can pick up a pair of 906’s in your budget, either new on sale or gently used here on Audiogon. Happy hunting! 
For the money the ELAC UniFi UB-5 speakers are great. They are also just very good speakers. An added bonus is that for some reason, they are heavily discounted and you can find them on Amazon. If you want to move up to they big brother towers the ELAC UniFi UF-5 are even better and discounted too and on Amazon. These aren’t bookshelf or speaker stand speakers in the traditional sense, but the Magnepan Little Ribbon Speakers (LRS) are excellent, and ordered directly from Magnepan for only $650!