bookshelf speakers - what to buy?

There's a pair of Joseph Audio Pulsars for sale here now in your price range.  Pretty safe bet. 

What characteristics of sound reproduction are most important to you and what are you most looking to improve upon?

I asked some specific questions the OP decided not to answer that would've helped a lot of our more seasoned posters give the OP better recommendations.  OP refused to answer, which pretty much tells me this isn't worth anyone's time and has no real answer.