Best small speakers?

Best? Who knows.... but here's a list to consider.
Red Rose Rosebuds
Jm lab micro be
JM Labs 1007Be
Dynaudio Special 25 Original Edition
Magico Mini
Magico Mini II
Merlin tsm-MX
Marten Design Duke
Sonus Faber Cremona
Sonus Faber Cremona M
Coincident Triumph Signature UHS, Extreme Version
SF Amati Homage
Sonus Faber Extrema
Star Sound Caravelles with stands
MBL 121 Rosewood
Manley ML10 using Tannoy sgm10b with mastering labs xvr
Tannoy SGM-10B Super Gold
Eggleston Works Fontaine
Jean Marie Reynaud Offrande
MBL 121 Radialstrahler
Thiel pcs

if you're looking for a small wonder I would ad Totem "The one" to your list if you can find a pair used about $2,600.
good luck!

+ 2 for Dynaudio

Ah well, I would recommend Harbeth or MERLIN; the first ones only because i heard them puzzled over them, but never had first hand experience; the Merlins because I truly believe that the MASTER TSM is my personal finest speaker I want to have in my living room, and I am a violinist, using gear in every possible way.

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I would listen to Totem Element Fire's. They were a big buzz at the RMAF. I'm a Harbeth freak. The Super 5's are in your price range. I have the C7's and will be keeping them for another 10 years without even thinking about it. They work miracles in my room. We all have our favorites.