FWIW, Magnepan 1.7i speakers are everything on the list except efficiency and slam, although they put out enough bass to go without the sub.
Price is $1000 less than the proposed limit. There’s a major plus. But.... Efficiency is a low 86dB, so big power is needed for loudness, and they can only be pushed so far as physics takes over. Distortion rises steeply when they reach their excursion limits.
They sound different than “box speakers”, and listeners tend to be split between love/hate. More love here. Big imaging. They seem to disappear. Recordings that were previously unlistenable are suddenly not so bad. Great recordings really shine. Voices are smooth and silky. Transients are sharp but never harsh, but that requires “tight” amplification.
Here’s a pair driven by Cherry MEGA MK2 MONOs (>1000Wpc capable, 120dB). The amps are driven directly (no preamp) by a Cherry 130dB+ DAC DAC 2 HS:
