best monitor speaker under $1k, new or used

Von Schwiekert VR-1's are very good in a small room and will work well with low power. Imaging and bass are good even with close placement to the rear wall. I haven't heard the Spica's but VR-1's are much richer and full bodied compared to the Epos

The NHT SB-3's are a strong contender @ a new list price of $600.00.

I audition a pair, & was overly impressed with them.

Yet, I feel Stereophile must have been smoking crack when the considered them class D.

I'll nominate my ProAc Tablette 50 Signatures!

GMA Europas...

I second the Green Mtn. Audio Europas. Replaced a pair of well broken in Dynaudio 1.3 MkIIs. IMHO the Europas out performed the Dynaudios in terms of soundstage, separation of instruments and voices, and general "live" presence of the music. Both sets were driven (not together)by Plinius 8200 Mk 1 integrated.