Best for Classic/Progressive Rock and Blues

seems the 500 is similar 3 way, 12", level controls: except the 1000 have beryllium tweet/mid. replacing berylilium drivers could be hard and expensive, the ns-500m with conventional materials might be the better choice.

1000 is 8 ohms, sensitivity 90 db.

500 is 6 ohms, sensitivity 91 db

yamaha ns-500m spec sheet

no joke, they weigh 51 lbs

I see some small protrusions in the left cloth to ask about

ergo 900 dc specs, two 8" woofers

pair in mesa az

Not easy to find but if you spot a pair of used Ohm Walsh speakers in your price range, those are the ticket.

I listen to the same type of music you do.JBLs would be great also Zu DW6 is worth checking out.

Just a hair over your budget at $1200 used ($5000) new. This is a local pickup only so might not work but the Revel 208 is great for rock. It is super smooth and a touch rolled off room. For what it is worth I owned the Revel 228be and Thiel 2.4 at the same time and thought the Revel was much better for rock with the thiel being just a bit too bright. 

measurements here.