Magnepans or...Martin Logan

I have owned both Maggies and MLs, Reality doesn’t match the hype or the reviews. Emerald Physics is open baffle, but with ample bass and much better integration of drivers AND they are easy loads to drive

+1 for Emerald Physics, BUT- ask them to pack more securely, than they do for domestic shipping. That’s after four decades of owning planars(Acoustat and Magnepan).

I was also thinking maybe open baffle would be a good compromise in size for shipping and efficiency for amp as well as getting much of the ESL sound. Special Audio and Pure Audio Project are two that are well reviewed and in your price range. Actually Pure Audio Project ships from over seas already they may be easier to deal with since they already ship world wide.

I guess I'd probably agree that the Emerald Physics open baffle speakers might be a better option than the Maggies for the reasons noted.  However, they're pretty heavy and will be more difficult to ship safely.  

The Pure Audio Project open baffle speakers might also be a good option - though, I think the Emerald Physics may have a better sound.  But, the PAP's with the Voxativ driver do sound great.  And, you can try different drivers fairly easily - since they're "plug and play."  

But... again... I'd likely take the Proac Response D2 stand-mount monitor over either of them, when matched with the right amp, for acoustic music.  And, they're much easier to ship and manage.

Years ago I want from ML to ProAc Response 2.5's and it was a very good move. proac's make music and their stand mounters disappear in the music. I've also owned tablet 50sig's. 

cant go wrong with ProAc's imo