dear lord, i need help...

Check out the Paradigm Studio 40's.
Good luck.

The GMA Callistos have better bass than the Europas (lower and more detailed) -- I have them in small room (12.5x15) with no sub and bass is engaging and appropriate. They're at the upper end of your price range, but there's a pair used for sale here and maybe you could get close. I haven't heard the others you mention, but I have heard the Paradigms and the Callistos are just more musical and compelling. Good luck!

thanks guys, i'll look at those too!

Lucifer here. I get excellent bass response [~40 Hz] with my SEAS Cygnets from Madisound. The ancillaries are a little over the top [P300/Delta/SF/Muse/Thule/Bel Canto] for a budget speaker, but they bring out the best in this modest but well-evolved design [cool phase plug, inverted drivers, LEAP xover, and a highly "listenable tweeter"]. Cheap and cheerful as they say in the UK, but the sonics are full and rich, musical and satisfying. If you put music before dollars, the results are sometimes better than would be otherwise. Danes don't lie, and neither do Norwegians.

Just remembered these http://www.morelusa.com/home/mlp-403-5.htm

Any outfit making their own drivers has got a leg up on most other speaker makers. Sealed box equals good bass definition, if not 20 Hz at 110 dB. I like the big dome midrange and the 3" voice coil on the woofer, you might too, at $600 shipped. Best of luck and enjoy the ride.