What is the best pair of bookshelf speakers for $1000?

[nova]

Lots of good speakers to choose from in that price range,... the two I'd suggest are:

RBH Sound - Signature Reference Series 61-SE/R

Monitor Audio - Gold GS10

MSRP on both are slightly more than your budget but street price should be close.

 

[bwheeler]

Sierra-1

I have read good reviews on the Sierra-1

 

[dronezero]

Some other well reviewed speakers in the budget. Most of these also have the benefit of being small so they would be easy to transport between setups.

NHT Classic 3
B&W CM1
Era Design 4 or 5 (you could probably go with the 4 since you are pairing with a sub)
Silverline Minuet
Swan D2.1SE

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Cambridge Audio S30s are absolutely stunning, and only 1/4 of your budget! Their only limitation is bass, which you don't care about. In all other respects, they are as good as (in most cases better than) any other bookshelves I have heard up to $1500/pr (and I have heard a huge variety.)

 

[lukejr]

How does the Sierra-1 compare to the Energy RC-10? Are they in the same league of sound or is one clearly better?

 

[GregBe]

I have owned
-Various Cambridge Soundworks Bookshelves (All of them)
-Polk LSi7
-M&K 850
-Vienna Acoustics Hayden Grand
-Monitor Audio GR10
-Era Design D4
-Era Design D5

My favorite by far is my current D5s. They are priced right at $1000. I have heard John Garcia's A/V-2s, and they sound spectacular as well.