I'm presently breaking in some Clearwave Duet 6 monitors and they're at the $3K range you mentioned. These are some truly remarkable speakers that come across as so naturally balanced, top to bottom, that this is the first time I won't even consider a sub.
In room measurements done with a RatShack SPL meter bears this out and I did it from the listening position and about 1M from the speakers. I'm getting measurable response all the way down to 31.5Hz from these beauties and there's no bloat (this is at comfortable listening levels averaging in the mid 60s SPL) From 1Khz down to 50Hz it's +/-2 db, 60db @40Hz and 53db@31.5Hz.
I know this is a rough example and I only used test tones from an old Stereophile test CD but it goes a long way towards explaining the full and balanced sound I'm getting. I haven't heard sound like this from a speaker, let alone a monitor.
All the best,
Nonoise