Speaker help - short list needed

Sonus Faber Concerto Domus. They are beautiful floor standers.
You may get a pair at or around your target price.
I have a pair that I fully enjoy driven by a W4S ST-500 power amp.

Sorry, I should have also mentioned room size being important. If your room is medium to large, check out the link below. For a full, rich sounding speaker, these will be hard to beat for the price. The main rap on these was with the bass response and that may not be an issue with a larger room, although they may not be suited for a smaller room. The manufacturer is outstanding to deal with and I suspect these are still supported. The asking price matches lowest ever on Audiogon.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1318091242&/Aerial-8-Cherry
Here is a link to Stereophile's review:
http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/639

If you like Sonus Faber check out Vienna Acoustics and Dynaudio

I'll second the Vandersteens.

The Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signatures fit your parameters perfectly, IMO. They appear to be going for just under $1500/pr. used nowadays.

Your own example, Sonus Faber would have been my other suggestion, so it looks like you already have that option covered. :-)