Best speakers 2,500 can buy.

Are personally, medically, or otherwise averse(:)) to diy spkrs?? Mostly assembly is required, not actual design, etc.

If not, 2,5k will buy you a mean kit, with very good performance level. Check out Madisound, e-speakers, blackdahlia (lowther kit), dillonacoustics, decware, zalytron, gr-research (ALL dot coms).

DIY not only offers a pleasant W-E, but often better performance for the money than the commercial equivalent.

What B&W's are you currently using? Try the new 805S, a well broken in pair may be just what you are looking for. Unless you were wanting full range speaker.

There are many if you are willing to buy used.

Both of the following are detailed, high-resolution and musical, but (i) Vienna Acoustics Beethoven are more toward the musical side, and (ii) Revel F-30 (not the newer F32) are more toward the detailed side. Both are nearly full-range (they are definitely not small monitor speakers), and are not embarassed by very demanding orchestral music and loud rock.

There appear to be nice pairs of both currently available in the Audiogon classifieds (the Vienna Acoustics speakers have very high quality finishes, by the way).

Shahinian Obelisks- used. Also second the Vienna Acoustics- sorry neither on your short list.

If you are will to buy used you could get my speakers, not my actual speakers as I'm not letting them go, but a nice pair of JMlabs Micro-Utopias with stands is in your price range. These are the best small speakers I've ever had in my home.