Budget American made speakers?

That's a good price for sure.  Some of the local dealers often have similar deals if you are close to one.  

music direct has an open box pair of Vandersteen VLRs for $995.

https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/Vandersteen-VLR-Wood-Bookshelf-Speakers-Cherry-Pr-OPEN-BOX

Silverline audio has some inexpensive
shelf or stand speakers. Also B&W has some “pop gun” speakers for a 

Yes, Johnny is as good as it gets, that's for sure.

I haven’t heard the Vandersteen bookshelves, but I have owned the 1Cs and 2CIs.  Vandersteen are truly incredible speakers and I would be surprised if the bookshelves were a disappointment.  John at Audio Connection in NJ will gladly introduce you to the Vandersteens, and if you are too far I am sure he will at least be a good person to talk to about the Vandys. He’s helped me in the past.

tschoroder, they aren't necessarily better.  That's subjective in audio.  The aren't bookshelf and set up isn't easy to get the most out of them.  I'm very familiar with all the Maggie line and like them when set up properly, so I'm not disparaging them by any means.  It's a good speaker to have on the list if he has the proper room to set them up.

Magnepan MMG factory direct $650, they are not bookshelfs but will be a much better speaker than anything listed here. Try 'em, you can send them back if you don't like them. No-one does.

Thanks ctsooner, will definantly have to check that place out. My wifes Dad lives near state fair park so I get to that area here and there.

Tomic, thanks for the feedback. I need to get over there when I get back to Madison to see the grandkid and step family, lol.

ultra is a fantastic store

Where in Wisky are you?  My wife is from Wasusa and two of her kids live in Madtown. Some good audio stores left in Wisc.  Never been to Ultra Fidelis, but have heard great things about them.  My wife used to actually live in teh same town, Wauwatosa.  here is their website:  http://ultrafi.com

ADS Speakers are great and can be found for way under 1K
Although the company is not around anymore you can find them used and in great condition.
Check out any of their Three Ways like The L810 710 L780 L880 etc

+4 Omega Luis is awsome guy

Selah Audio builds and designs many high quality speakers at different price points. And of course his speaker's sound great.

Another vote for Omega!

Wondering if your wife thinks  floor standing speakers are just big and ugly because she has not seen anything beyond what one sees in the BB type of store.  Vandersteen 1c's  is one that comes to mind as anything but big and ugly, with their choice of stain color and small footprint..  

Another vote for Omegas, Louis is a cabinet maker by trade I believe and his cabinetry is beautiful.  I had a rare early pair of the Grande 8's a while back in Sapele that were awesome.  Now he uses better drivers and his stuff always seems to be evolving.  

Klipsch Forte IIIs have a new mid horn that supposedly improved them (according to a salesman I met). I think most audio geeks are like me in the sense that since Klipsch "Heritage" stuff has been around so long we forget about it (the new stuff looks great but I have zero experience with those), and I was surprised at how refined the Heresy IIIs are…not much bass (I have subs so don't care) but they're coherant little masterpieces anyway, and still a great design that works. Compared to modern beautiful and shiny stuff from pretty much everybody else they do seem somewhat pedestrian square boxes, but get around that and partner them with good gear and man…sweet efficiency for days...

Why bother if your happy with the jukebox ?
get a pair of Cerwin Vegas with the $6 bullet tweeter, stop reading speaker reviews and switch all the saved $$$ into suds....

but it I think you might find that many if not all the recommended speakers here are from people who both care about the music but yes also what it is played on because it allows them deeper more accurate and yes emotional access to their favorite songs, cycles, tone poems, thrash, shoegazer, whatever...

Philharmonic speakers also has some very nice offerings in this size and price range.

Wiscoguy,

if if your room is not to large a pair of “audience the ones” have served me well In my office system. They sell for $995.00 through Galen Carol audio, San Antonio, TX.

good luck

The Mini Philharmonitor.

I'd say the Vandersteen or Maggies would be a great start.  Both have outstanding pedigree's and will be around for years and years.  The Vandy's just get the music right.  

Not quite a bookshelf, not really a tower.... the Klipsch Heresy III is a great speaker that can be found within your budget. 

Klipsch Forte and Marantz 2275 are a match made in heaven and can be pass down to future generations. They're available on the secondary market, but getting rarer.

Decware DM-945!!!
 

I am very happy with my Paradigm A2 Shift self powered speakers. You can plug them into virtually any electronically generated device from a guitar to an iPod, to a smart phone and get great sound. I have them connected to my PC via an Essence DAC and the sound is great, whether it is coming from my iTunes, YouTube, or a PC game.  They run about $700 a pair. 

Digital Signal Processing

Sophisticated mathematical algorithms shape frequency response so that even when you're listening at loud levels not only is the bass intense, overall sound from the A2 is unbelievably accurate, clear and musical.

Tech Specs

• Tweeter: 1" Anodized pure-aluminum dome
• Woofer: 5-1/2" Satin-anodized pure-aluminum cone
• Frequency Response: 55 Hz - 20 kHz (+/-2 dB)
• Amplifier: S/N Ratio: >85 dB A-weighted, 2Vrms
• Amplifier Power: Biamplified: 2 x 50 W RMS, 80W Dynamic
• Peak Dynamic Power: 100 Watts Dynamic Peak, 50 Watts RMS
• Low-Frequency Extension: 30 Hz
• Power Requirements: 120V~60 Hz 2A*
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 11" x 6-5/8" x 8-7/8"
• Weight (unpacked): 11.6 lb
• Warranty: 1-year limited

https://www.paradigm.com/products-current/type=bookshelf-powered/model=a2/page=overview

I just read you like to rock out loud so i thought that was you .
I wasn't trying to judge you , Sorry .

Build the Linkwitz LXmini.  They image better than speakers I've heard costing $30,000.  Absolutely incredible.   You could readily do the whole project for less than $1000, including amplification.

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/LXmini/Introduction.htm

@schubert
Thanks dude, you are absolutly right about "mamma".
But, Im still a little sore that you said i dont appreciate symphony because i drink beer. My dad was a big sympony nut, especially on records. I grew up on it, along with 70’s rock(im 36). And my wife actually plays violin. I appreciate the complexitys of symphony.... just prefer shit with more drive.
However, i do appreciate all the posts! Its awesome that guys are so willing to help a newbie. Thank you all for the recommendations. I checked them all and followed up with a lot of web research. I think im settling on a used pair of tyler halos.
I’m more of the guy who is impressed by the music itself and not what its playing out of. I love how music brings people together, and the way the actual music makes me feel.
If your favorite song is playing, does it matter if its on a 30k rig or a bar jukebox?

+1 for whatever Helomech said !!!!!

Helomech
you might be wound 2 tight
” the lost art of reading” influenced my comment about a lack of fluency in reading and therefore a comment about Recommendations of floorstander because we might not know what a bookshelf IS.....

also so I believe you were the 2nd poster to point out VLR at or below a thousand

peace

You can find a pair of Legacy Studio HD for around 1k used

If mama ain't happy, nobody's happy .

@tomic601 

Did you read my entire post? I also recommended he try the VLRs. I also mentioned that used pairs can be found for <$1K.

Sony is made in USA? That's news to me!

How can those of us not fluent in reading know anything about bookshelves ?

sorry I recommend a floor stander the magnepan

the VLR can most definitely be purchased used for under a grand

small Sony’s Faber Concertino are also amazingly musical and about $750 used, high whipped by WAF factor in leather / Walnut 

@wiscoguy,

I dont know what her problem is.
The 1k budget is also do to said wife.
God I am so whipped, im going to jump off a bridge now.

Maybe you're focusing on the wrong upgrade. 😁

+2 Tyler Acoustics!  Excellent value and sound/build quality.

@wisoguy   
 look at the 1st kit that I posted from parts express, under $1000 and they really are excellent for triple the money, The parts alone sold separately are a fair amount more than this kit.  Morel drivers,  easy to assemble and you'll have a lot of pride telling people that you built them.  

Actually, I wouldnt mind floorstanders, but my wife "doesnt want to look at big ugly speakers all the time."
I dont know what her problem is.
The 1k budget is also do to said wife.
God I am so whipped, im going to jump off a bridge now.

ok enough, I can't stand the criticism.  So even though I recommended and still do, a small floor stander,  here is another kit (book shelf) , this one, no cabinet assembly that competes very well at a low price.  

https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-rs621cck-speaker-kit-pair-curved-cherry--302-963

@schubert 

Why is so hard to understand the OP wants bookshelves at no more than 1K ???

Because reading has become a lost art. 

I have recommended these before and sorry, they are not what you asked for, but for the price, I had to throw them out there. They are a kit that you would need to assemble. I'm an old time speaker builder and can tell you that these compete very well with $5000 speakers.  These are $1000 a pair and if you look, you should be able to find a $100 off coupon, They are designed by Jeff Bagby, he is an accomplished designer and this kit is very easy to put together. They are constantly out of stock,  they bring them in and sell out in just a few days.  I see them available every so often, so when they say they are due in jump on them if you are interested.  On this link, scroll down and you will see images of finished sets that others have done,  you'll notice some look outstanding and worst case look pretty good.  Good Luck,  Tim 

https://www.parts-express.com/solstice-mltl-reference-tower-speaker-kit--300-708

Why is so hard to understand the OP wants bookshelves at no more than 1K ???

A DIY option for you:

Selah Audio "Tono" kit:

http://www.selahaudio.com/tono-kit

Add Parts-express cabinets and they would cost about $950.

I own a pair of these.  Incredible value.  Rick is great to work with.  He sells many other kits and  fully assembled speakers.  

+1 mapman and the Ohm Walsh speakers!

Source Loudspeaker Technologies 1.6 WC Bookshelf Monitor
$995 and you can buy direct from John made in America.
Phone (860) 918-3088
701 Nutmeg Road North
 South Windsor, CT. 06074