Bookshelf speaker recommendations

OP, if your bar is set high, that’s great. Consider setting a higher budget to accept suggestions that meet your expectations. Push your envelope to where your point of diminishing returns lies. I went through a similar process and ultimately settled on the Buchardt S400 II, which is priced right around $2.4k. The SCM11 was also on my radar but was ruled out primarily due to its limited low-end extension. I prioritize soundstage and tonal balance with nimble bass, a full midrange, and airy highs. For me, the SCM11 falls into the restricted low-end category and wouldn’t be my cup of tea, even though it is a competent performer in the rest of the frequency spectrum.

Back then, I also asked for help from Audiogoners, but I was honest with them about my budget being around $2k. I had an initial list of choices, and Audiogoners helped me fine-tune and narrow down my options to three. The process is much more straightforward and smooth if your goals align with theirs. Don’t aim too high but settle for less—you’re wasting not only your own time but others’ as well. No offense intended, please.

No offense intended. We just happen to see different view point on the matter of what we see a budget set. I only set my budget at 1.2k because I know at that price point wither new or used is a good starting point. Can I go higher on my budget, maybe I would need to hear data to back it up. Don't get me wrong, there are speakers at a higher price tag that sound great but there are also speakers with lower budget that can sound great too. It all come down to subjective. You want a bookshelf speaker that goes low into bass region and there is nothing wrong with that. You just going to have pay the price to achieve that accomplishment. As I mention before, we have different view points of what we want in sound. I personally like speakers to roll off at around 60-70hz at -3db slope. Again no offense taken and enjoy.

I personally like speakers to roll off at around 60-70hz at -3db slope (??).

You mean -3db / octave 'slope' at 60-70hz OR roll off 3db at 60-70hz?  I never saw that preference mentioned anywhere in your post. It would be easier for those who want to help if you made it clear, wouldn’t it? That’s not a hard/high goal to achieve. I believe you can find a pair of good speakers within your price range that also meet the high expectations I mentioned above. I wish you luck.

@lanx0003 -3db is the xo point between two bands, not the slope. I would have said 3db/oct. 

I'm not sure if you know what you are talking about.  Take scm 11 that seems your favorite as an example (the chart above is its sum).  Scm 11 is a two way speaker with the x-over around 2.5 khz, not 60-70hz.  Second of all, what do you mean by "-3db is the xo point bet. two bands"? you mean 3db dip at xo point? (see the chart above).  And lastly, "not the slope. I would have said 3db/oct." db/oct is a slope.  You got that all messed up...  anyway good luck