Got an itch to buy some new stand mount speakeras

I’ve come to have a lot of respect for Ascend. Well run, sell direct company. I'm currently testing out the same RAAL tweeter on some Ascend towers, and so far I like the air, clarity, but no metal tweeter brightness.

Given you budget, I hesitated to share this but...here’s a used speaker that might fit the bill and you might negotiate the price down a bit:

Ascend is interesting..Specific ad show local pickup only but I’d like to audition locally, perhaps I can. ANY British bookshelf come to mnd along Kan lines without dropped off high end?

As far as British speakers, the Quad S1 and S2 have a fantastic top end (ribbon tweeter).  There is an add for a new Quad S2 for $750 right now.  That's a fantastic price (they are usually $1200 new, I think).  It's a wonderful, clear, engaging speaker. 

Yes I saw some active Quads also sold In like 2 days