Quote Originally Posted by topspeed
Other speakers you might consider are Dynaudio, Martin Logan, JM Lab Cobalt or Profile series, Von Schweikert VR2's, and Paradigm Studio series.
I actually really like this list, although I wasn't aware that ML had anything in this price range. Especially Dynaudio (I was just reading a reviews of the Audience 72SE in Absolute Sound, whose retail is just outside your price range, but perhaps you could find a floor model, or find a dealer who actually negotiates on price), JM Lab, and Von Schweikert.

I would also add Totem and Tannoy to that list, I think.

Although you really can't go wrong with the Thiel's -- they're fantastic speakers.