With speakers in particular, it's best to hear them yourself, with your amplification or perhaps what you hope to get! There are so many good speakers in your price range, and they all sound different.
Some bigger makers, like KEF, have several lines with different goals in terms of quality & looks. You might prefer smaller stand mounts in an apartment. The small Q series speakers are in the $600-800/pair range, with the towers more like $1500-2200.