Best Floorstanding Speaker under $1000 USD

Magnepan MMG's are a steal at under $600 brand new (delivered!)
Assuming one has an amplifier that is happy producing power at low impedences, and the space to place them out from the walls 3-4 feet....I would get the largest used Maggie I could for my $1K.

With your goals in mind, my strongest recommendation would be for a pair of used Thiels or ProAcs, but Totem or larger Meadowlark's would be nice, too. New, I'd lean towards the NHT ST4's, or possibly Creek's floorstander.

Tom.

I would always recommend that you LISTEN to some Maggies. They (and other planars) are quite different from box speakers, and the decision as to whether you like the planar sound is yours alone. If you do like it, (and many people swear by it) Maggies are super values costwize.

Darn good point, Eldartford. I might also suggest Martin Logan's (though Quads have already been recommended).

if you can find a used pair of Boston Lynnfield 400's they are without a doubt the best deal - imo. this was Bostons high end offering several years ago. i have a pair of Lynnfield 500Ls and imo they hold their own against the Aeriel model 8 which is considerable more money

drawback is that they need alot of power.