I was shopping in your price range about 8 years ago. I ended up with Ohm Walsh 2000s ($2800/pr - Memorial Day sale is on now, I think). My review is posted in the review section. Just make sure your room size matches up with the recommended room size range on the Ohm web site. 120-day in-home trial. Nothing, IME, beats a lengthy in-home trial.
Floorstanding towers
I'm currently in the market for some new towers and have a few I'm looking at but am open to suggestions. I have my ways on the monitor audio bronze or silver series and the Martin Logan motion 40. I have also heard and like paradigm monitor series speakers. They will be paired with a parasound halo integrated and vinyl as well as streamed music will be the main source of sound. im open to ideas on other speakers in the 2-3k range for the pair.