What should I be auditioning?

Look for local, you can usually get better deals that way, with cash n' carry. That way you get to listen to them first too, and most sellers don't want to worry about shipping big speakers. I got a great deal on the pair of Soliloquy 6.3i's I'm using now that way.

If I was in the market today, I'd snap these Audio Physics Virgo II's up.

Linn Majik 140's.

Given your price range, you would have a hard time getting something better that a pair of Vandersteen Model 2's.

You didn't say what amp will be powering the system or the size of the room.
But in your price range is the Totem Dreamcatcher (monitor, $1200) and Totem Arro (fullrange, about $1700). Both feature remarkable soundstaging, non-fatiguing. But you will need a subwoofer.

In my opinion, the Dunlavy speakers remain the greatest bargain in all of high-end audio. At your price point you could potentially find a set of SC-IVs, which are world class full range speakers which compete with current designs in the 20K range. I have almost every model that John Dunlavy ever designed mixed into 2 channel and home theatre systems. They are not there for novelty. They are there because I have auditioned just about every high-end speaker made and find that Dunlavys are unbeatable for the money.