best bookshelf speakers for < $2000?

lots of great monitors at that price; Merlin, ATC, PMC, Aerial, PBN, PSB, Dali...too many to list

Honestly, you should put the Proac's in there.  Their new stuff is very nice.  

For a FLY-UNDER-USUAL LIST sleeper/wild card standmount candidate that is a "contender" and no "pretender" in your price range (+/-)for "new" speakers:     JMR (Jean-Marie Reynaud) “Bliss” Loudspeaker

check out the stellar reviews : very efficient   and easy to drive.

http://www.stereotimes.com/speak083010.shtml
http://www.amherstaudio.com/?page_id=42

NEWEST MODEL ON SALE in AGON:  

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-jm-reynaud-bliss-silver-monitor-speakers-free-shipping-20...

I've had a pair of Revel M106 for a little over two years and they have great bass response for a small speaker....I use a sub but run them full range.   At night I turn the sub off and the bass is still very satisfying.  They sound like a much bigger speaker without ever sounding boomy or bloated.  With a good sub they make for a great 2.1 system but I could easily live with just the two speakers.   I should note that I'm driving them with a 40 watt tube amp and they kick ass in my 17 x 15 room.  I have owned many high performance bookshelf speakers over there years and these are one of my favorites.  

I have Speaker Art Super Clef's in a 12x12 room. They never sound bloated or boomy no matter where the listener position is. I would venture to say that they produce as much if not more bass than many of the usual suspect bookshelf speakers mentioned on the forums. Bob Gross although not widely known is probably one of the best desiners of all time. Have to purchase new because you will never find a pair on the used market.