In your price range, and given that you don't expect to play your speakers at ear-bleeding levels, you should not limit your choices to small floorstanders. There are plenty of great stand-mounted speakers that should be in consideration.
Although I only heard the Odyssey Lorelei at a show, I was quite impressed with how warm, relaxed, full and yet not sluggish and murkey, they sounded. These seem to be quite a bargain (small floorstanding speaker that retail for $2,700 per pair).
I generally like the sound of Proac speakers, both their floorstanding and stand-mounted speakers. I would bet that something in that line would work well for you.
I am also a fan of the "Classic" Spendor line of speakers (stand-mounted speakers). I prefer these models to their newer lines which are on the leaner, "more detailed" side. I tend to like their stand-mounted speakers over their floorstanders as well.
The cheaper stand-mounted speakers from Audionote can also be quite good for the money. These are speakers on the warmer side, and they do have a bit of a loose sounding bass response, but, the overall sound is very musical and lively even when listening at lower levels. These speakers are meant to be placed near the corners of the room, but, they can be moved out a bit (might even be "better" given how bass heavy their speakers can sound).
I would also audition the cheaper and smaller DeVore speakers. The cheap, none electrostatic floorstanding Quads (made in China) can also sound quite decent for the money.
Although I only heard the Odyssey Lorelei at a show, I was quite impressed with how warm, relaxed, full and yet not sluggish and murkey, they sounded. These seem to be quite a bargain (small floorstanding speaker that retail for $2,700 per pair).
I generally like the sound of Proac speakers, both their floorstanding and stand-mounted speakers. I would bet that something in that line would work well for you.
I am also a fan of the "Classic" Spendor line of speakers (stand-mounted speakers). I prefer these models to their newer lines which are on the leaner, "more detailed" side. I tend to like their stand-mounted speakers over their floorstanders as well.
The cheaper stand-mounted speakers from Audionote can also be quite good for the money. These are speakers on the warmer side, and they do have a bit of a loose sounding bass response, but, the overall sound is very musical and lively even when listening at lower levels. These speakers are meant to be placed near the corners of the room, but, they can be moved out a bit (might even be "better" given how bass heavy their speakers can sound).
I would also audition the cheaper and smaller DeVore speakers. The cheap, none electrostatic floorstanding Quads (made in China) can also sound quite decent for the money.