Suggestions for $2k budget

If you have modest space, that will be a big factor in determining the scale of speaker you put into it. What are your room dimensions?
I suggest you buy the best bookshelf/small tower speaker you can afford for the space. An added bonus is that you can move smaller speakers in many more places to exploit the best position for them...there will be fewer positions for larger speakers.

That said, I have Salk Songtowers. Pretty much about $2k new and built to your liking. They were at one time the most expensive part of my system but, as I have upgraded of the last few years, they are now the least expensive. I could have better speakers but these things have kept up and I have no need to upgrade at this time.

They are medium sized towers but It’s tough to find a bad position for these speakers. I’ve had them in 3 different homes in the last 6 years and they’ve been great in all of them. They sound good right up against wall but soundstage is much better about 1/5 into the room. In the right position they have very natural and deep bass and sound smooth all the way to the top. In a bad position the bass is simply good enough. 

Hello,
Can you tell us your Preamp and Amp? There is no point suggesting speakers without knowing those two things. 

I’m kind of surprised these haven’t been mentioned, but for 2k you can get a pair of Goldenear Triton 5’s. These are stellar speakers with an incredible sound for any type of music. Highly rated and reviewed. These were my first Audiophile level speakers and I truly enjoyed them, only the purchase of my Klipsch Cornwall 4’s replaces them. Check them out!

https://www.stereophile.com/content/goldenear-triton-five-loudspeaker

I think you'd be very pleased with the Kef R3. Check them out if you can.