Bookshelf Recommendations


Long time, first time here. Looking to upgrade my current speakers. While I know the best way to judge is by actually LISTENING to a set-up, I've read a lot of positive reviews of the SVS Ultimas. Does anyone here have first hand experience with those or a similar bookshelf at the +/-$1k price point?

My listening space is 12 x 12, with a Carver M1.5t power amp and CJ PV-12 pre. 
128x128carerra4s
OP:  are you planning to use them in a bookshelf, or are you just typifying small speakers as "bookshelf"?  True bookshelf placement is a true watershed for most speakers, and many of the recommendations listed above would not fare well place such.  Could you please clarify?
Will be mounting on stands. While I'd prefer a larger speaker in general, domestic equilibrium mandates as small a footprint as possible. 
Herb Reichert just gave an enthusiastic review of a Klipsch stand-mount priced at under $600/pr in the current issue of Stereophile.

Tom
For stand mounting, the Ref 3a and Sonus Faber lines already mentioned are well worth looking into.
and so is the VLR which you can back right up against the wall and reach below 50 HZ
and have a nice upgrade path w Vandersteen sub, even the sub 3 with 11 bands of analog EQ....