Bob:
I owned the EPOS ESL3 and just did not like them. Maybe I was spoiled because I had owned the EPOS 11 for years and loved them. The ESL3 just did not do it for me. I found them boxy and thin sounding.
I have not heard the CA 540 ... I own the CA 540 DVD player (which makes for an excellent cd player).
Given where I think your price range is ... I would still opt for the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 or 9.2; Wharfedale EVO 10 (Audio Advisor has an excellent deal on the EVO 10 ... $800 speakers for $400 new, maple finish ... on par with with the EPOS M12.2); or the NHT Classic 2 (Audio Advisor has open box pairs for $350 ... taken out of their boxes to photograph). I own the Wharfedale Diamond 9.2 and NHT SB2 ... can't say enough good things. Have run them with tubes (Prima Luna Prologue 2) and ss receivers (Outlaw RR2150 and vintage Marantz 2240).
Regards, Rich