You will probably get some excellent suggestions from others, so I will limit my comments to three monitors that I have owned. For about a year, I owned a pair of Coincident Triumph Signatures. They are a very well made and efficient speaker (said to be suitable for use with lower-powered tube amps), with excellent cabinetry, but I found myself only satisfied, rather than really pleased, with them. I subsequently sold them to a colleague (for $500, so he got a good buy) who has been using them for about 6 months. He has recently decided to sell them, saying that he can't really get excited about them. (FYI, I was using a solid state amp, and he has been using a tube amp). So, for the two of us, we'd say the speaker is a decent one, but not great (particularly given the competition at this price point).
The other monitor that I have owned and been very pleased with is a brand that not many audiophiles have heard: the Pyramid MET-7.7, which is designed and sold by Richard Sequerra, one of the major figures in high-end audio. The MET-7.7 is a small but outstanding monitor that has absolutely terrific imaging and soundstaging characteristics, and they can be purchased online directly from Dick Sequerra. The MET-7's I had were an earlier version, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. After I eventually sold them several years later, I came to regret my decision. Here is a link to a review of the MET-7.7's, which contains a link to Sequerra Associates:
http://www.planethifi.com/planethifi6/may99met771.htm
If you decide to consider an inexpensive monitor that performs much better than its $600 retail price would suggest, listen to the Krix Equinox (made in Australia). I have been using a pair of these speakers in my office system, and I like them a lot. They don't have much bass, but not many moderately priced monitors do. However, they are very clean, with a well balanced tonal quality that does a particularly good job in the critical mid-range. Krix designed their speakers to have good audio quality but also be compatible with HT systems, and I think they have done a commendable job in reaching their design objectives.
The other monitor speakers I suggest you consider are those made by PSB, which offer excellent value for the money, and those made by Reynaud and Triangle. I'll let the others who post provide some other suggestions.
The other monitor that I have owned and been very pleased with is a brand that not many audiophiles have heard: the Pyramid MET-7.7, which is designed and sold by Richard Sequerra, one of the major figures in high-end audio. The MET-7.7 is a small but outstanding monitor that has absolutely terrific imaging and soundstaging characteristics, and they can be purchased online directly from Dick Sequerra. The MET-7's I had were an earlier version, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. After I eventually sold them several years later, I came to regret my decision. Here is a link to a review of the MET-7.7's, which contains a link to Sequerra Associates:
http://www.planethifi.com/planethifi6/may99met771.htm
If you decide to consider an inexpensive monitor that performs much better than its $600 retail price would suggest, listen to the Krix Equinox (made in Australia). I have been using a pair of these speakers in my office system, and I like them a lot. They don't have much bass, but not many moderately priced monitors do. However, they are very clean, with a well balanced tonal quality that does a particularly good job in the critical mid-range. Krix designed their speakers to have good audio quality but also be compatible with HT systems, and I think they have done a commendable job in reaching their design objectives.
The other monitor speakers I suggest you consider are those made by PSB, which offer excellent value for the money, and those made by Reynaud and Triangle. I'll let the others who post provide some other suggestions.