I used Maggie 1.6s for about a year and a half and a pair of MMGs before them and they are awesome speakers and a great value. My space requirements changed after college and I explored smaller options, mostly bookshelves and couldn't find happiness there. Eventually I tried Cain & Cain Abbys which were nice, but much less versatile than the 1.6s and led to me missing them at times.
As of late I've been using some Zu Soul Superflys and no longer miss anything about any speaker I've owned or heard previously. Keep thinking Zu--I never heard the Druids, but I think there are about to be a bunch of them for sale in your price range once the next shipment of Souls goes out. There is also the option of a new Soul at close to, but above your budget when they ship those...
In short these are the most versatile speakers I've heard and sound good with everything from Jay-Z to Cowboy Junkies.
As of late I've been using some Zu Soul Superflys and no longer miss anything about any speaker I've owned or heard previously. Keep thinking Zu--I never heard the Druids, but I think there are about to be a bunch of them for sale in your price range once the next shipment of Souls goes out. There is also the option of a new Soul at close to, but above your budget when they ship those...
In short these are the most versatile speakers I've heard and sound good with everything from Jay-Z to Cowboy Junkies.