So,
I have been hunting for a great bookshelf for $1000 (plus or minus 10-15%). This is going to be a pseudo lifestyle system, as it will be front and center in our main living space. So, while I do want the speakers to sound great, I also require they look great as well.

I've posted in other threads about the Von Schweikert VR-1, as I thought I had found the perfect speaker for me. The speaker cabinet finish is drop dead gorgeous and they sound great. Finally, I am considering going with a tube amp, and thus that was also part of why the VR-1s were such a find...looks great, sounds great, and efficient. Alas, they have been discontinued. While I might consider used I wanted to buy new. So, what are your bookshelf speaker picks for right about $1000 that look great and sound great as well. To give you and idea of what I mean by "looks great" here are a few other options I have been through.

1. Von Schweikert VR-1 - perfect, but discontinued.
2. Totem Rainmaker - looks good, didn't love the sound, not so sure about efficiency for tube amp.
3. Onix reference Monitor 1 - looks pretty good, nervous about buying online from a company that has not been around that long (but maybe I could get over this). Also, at 4 ohms, would these be a reasonable match for a tube amp?

So, the traits shared by the above are a wonderful cabinet finish, good full range sound reproduction, and a relatively petite bookshelf design. So, what other speakers are out there that are in the same category as the above speakers.