Check out the Neat Petite III monitors currently listed for sale here. I have no affiliation to the seller or Neat but they are a really cool little monitor and a lot of speaker for the money. They would grow with you when you decide to upgrade from your Rotel.
Also in your price range worth checking out is a pair of used Green Mountain Europas. GMA has a great reputation.
Another option might be to pick up a used pair of Magnepan 1.6 panel speakers. Close to your price range and an amazing bargain for under $1,000. You won't be hosting a rave with you amplification but if your decor will tolerate them, that would be an interesting listening experience.
My personal recommendation would be to call Ty Lashbrook at Tyler Acoustics and tell him what you want to do both now and in the near future. He has a trade up plan so you could start out at the entry level with him and grow as funds allow. I once had some of his Taylo monitors and boy were they fun. I have since "upgraded" a dozen times but never has the bang for the buck been better than when I had some Tylers and a Cary SLI80.
Also in your price range worth checking out is a pair of used Green Mountain Europas. GMA has a great reputation.
Another option might be to pick up a used pair of Magnepan 1.6 panel speakers. Close to your price range and an amazing bargain for under $1,000. You won't be hosting a rave with you amplification but if your decor will tolerate them, that would be an interesting listening experience.
My personal recommendation would be to call Ty Lashbrook at Tyler Acoustics and tell him what you want to do both now and in the near future. He has a trade up plan so you could start out at the entry level with him and grow as funds allow. I once had some of his Taylo monitors and boy were they fun. I have since "upgraded" a dozen times but never has the bang for the buck been better than when I had some Tylers and a Cary SLI80.