Best speakers for max. $3000?

Focal Aria 936 has been mentioned here a few times and I agree - it is a solid option, particularly at its sale price of $2799 new. 

However, I enjoyed the Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with RAAL tweeters more. Also under $3K. David is also a super nice guy and helped me out whenever I had any questions. 

If you like the Thiels then go with them as there isnt a lot out there that sounds similar .  Listen for midrange/ treble hardness as Thiels not sourced just right can be fatiguing. also they are not kind to soso recordings and compression and classic rock is generally  not recorded well.
Totem speakers sound a little like Thiel for extension but are more colorful and forgiving.  The Forest or Mani 2 might work here. Hawks are some of the best jazz speakers around but a little small for rock
If the above is just too bright check out some Vienna acoustics  baby  Beethoven  grand  or larger. They are fantastic on classic rock and are very forgiving of recordings .
All the above need power but your amp should work well

Studio Electric M4

... New: abit off the grid: Vapor Audio Stiff Breeze; vintage: floor standing Gershman Avant Garde RX-20 early 2000s, Usher BE218

Again: sorry for this most recent Senior moment: should be Usher BE718