Okey doke...
Well, what are you looking to buy for that $1000? Just a front pair? Front pair with a center? 5 speakers? 5.1? 7.1?
Given what you said about preferring a "warm and crisp" sound and disliking "bright and forward", I would probably warn you away from Energy's current lineup. Energy generally has a more forward sound to their speakers and at very high output levels, their aluminum tweeters tend to get a little bit bright and harsh.
The EMP Tek Impression series would likely suit your tastes very well. RBH (parent company of EMP) tends to really nail the midrange. The Impression EMP speakers are a little bit towards the "laid back" side vs. the "forward" side. The top end has a little bit of a roll-off, which creates a warmer sound and they never sound bright.
I wouldn't hazard a comment on Mordaunt Short as I haven't heard any of their speakers for years. And when I did, it was only a store demo and I honestly can't recall enough about their sound from back then to offer you any opinions of value.
Monitor Audio is one of those speaker brands where, from line to line, there are noticable changes to the sound. With some brands, as you go up their lineup, you just get more extension, less distortion, more resolution...things like that. With Monitor's lineup, if you're listening and comparing, you can tell one line from another by the change in timbre and tone. So you'd really have to listen to the particular line that falls within your price range and decide if they are to your taste. Again, I haven't listened to them recently enough to tell you which line I think would appeal to you the most.
I used to hear Mission speakers a lot, but then they sort of disappeared from my local scene. Their lineup has changed quite a lot from back when I used to get to hear them all the time. But they always struck me as having that quintessential "British" sound - with a warm, but prominent midrange, smooth highs, and what seemed like a less than flat frequency response, but in an intentional and pleasing way. "Tuned by ear, not machine" was my overall impression. But things might definitely have changed since back then.
If you had the money, I'd be recommending Linn speakers to you for sure. Given your description of what kind of sound you like, I think they would serve as the epitome of the sort of sound quality you are looking for. But Linn is a high-dollar premium brand and well above your intended price range.
Out of that bunch that you listed, I believe you'd likely enjoy the EMP Impression speakers the most. But, of course, only your own ears can tell you for sure! (blah blah blah...disclaimer
). They are excellent speakers for the price though and have the attributes that you are looking for. Darn nice looking too!
You might also want to take a look/listen at Aperion. What's great with Aperion is that, if you live in the USA, you can buy them online, listen to them in your home for 30 days, and send them back with Aperion paying for the shipping BOTH ways! That return shipping being paid by the seller is really rare, but it allows you to hear their speakers in the best way possible - ie. actually in your own room and not just a store demo - and if you aren't satisfied with them, you can return them for truly no cost to you! Basically, there's no reason to NOT listen to them, so definitely give them a shot. You might not like them enough to keep them, but you literally have nothing to lose!
Hope that helps!
