Accurate speakers for a verity of genres?


Hello guys – I’m looking for L/R speakers to fill a 15x15 room – the budget is <4K (new/used). I’m not much of a PC user and was recommended by a good friend of mine to post here for advice.

I don’t have subs yet, so wanted something that could extend into the mid 30’s if needed. I will get subs next year so it’s not a big deal. My background is in music (have a degree from NYU) and come from a family or producers. Being that the speakers will be in my living room, I want something nice looking, and also capable of home theater usage and powered by a receiver.

I’m pretty young (under 26) and my musical tastes are leaning towards the more compressed side. Pop and some rock if I’m feeling casual, house or funk if I’m reminiscing and “real” hip-hop if I’m looking for stories or lyrical material. All mood dependent. I’m ‘classically trained’ and very critical in many genres’ being exposed to them my entire life though. Unfortunately, I do not listen classical music in my home although I do respect it. My instruments of choice are typically percussion based rather than string based and I really like both hard hitting bass and rolling basslines - but clean bass. Never boomy despite the musical choices.

Some examples of the types of music I listen to

Common – The People http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7B2VgRShew
The Roots – Boom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyLEgfp4b-k
Nicolay and Kay – As the world turns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q-apEQa8Vg
Geoffrey Oryema – Piri Wango Iya http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL4F21FAD18930ECDC&feature=player_detailpage&v=HIoY_7qCOHk#t=68s
Afefe Iku – Mirror Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja1LS1AkN-Y&feature=related
Sigur Rios- Festival http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RpKOawpMtsk#t=309s
Nosaj Thing – Aquarium http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPfDjZAct-0
LP – Iridescent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLYiIBCN9ec&ob=av2n
James Blunt - I’ll take everything http://www.youube.com/watch?v=LX9sn5aAp_8
Sublime – Santeria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEYN5w4T_aM&ob=av2n
Metallica – Unforgiven ½ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoTcb6vtGEo
Alicia Myers – I want to thank you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9wGnnwBc9M
Jackson 5 – Hum Along and Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xRcmIDj2cc
Level 42 – Starchild http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOpYmMyo1FM

Strange eh? I enjoy an accurate sound, that isn’t harsh in the upper band. Perhaps I have sensitive ears nowadays. I know to appreciate flat req response, and smooth off-axis response, great crossovers, etc. Now the question is – Where do I begin looking? Thanks for your time!!!!
bthought
A few points to clarify:

I mentioned the Carver CRM a few times in my posts. They're actually Sunfire (Bob Carver's second company) CRMs. I didn't see any available here, but these:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/sunfire-crs-3-cinema-ribbon-trio-speakers

look like they might be the big brother to mine.

If you find any monitor appealing and affordable, it will probably end up working well with the Velo SMS and either the SVS or Rythmik subs. As mentioned above, the SVS, Rythmik, and Velo products are all sold on-line with return rights, so the buyer can check it out and see if they can get the desired result.

Marty

PS You'll also have to choose a high-cut slope to determine how sharply the top of the woofer output rolls off. That's one more parameter on the Velo. You also choose a center point and "width" of 6 bands of parametric EQ. It will take work to get that "flat line", but it can be done and IME it's worth the effort.

BTW, a "flat line" actually means "gently wavy" line.
Wow this thread is all over the place. I would second Verity Audio. There is a pair of monitors listed that might would be nice. I agree with the finn as well.

At 4k you need a sub and you need to play your music at appropriate volumes. You have a good bit of material below the mid 30's. Probably 20%.

A pair of speakers that play all this cost much more. Think beyond a Wilson Sophia 3 or Magico V2. You need to get creative.
An overlooked speaker company is Focus Audio. I own the FS 8 model. I was quite surprised at the impact and quality of bass provided from such a modest sized speaker 38x7.5x10. The 2 way floorstanding FS 7se with a 7 inch woofer might be the best fit for your room(15x15)and needs. I have no reason to doubt the claimed bass(35hz)output of the FS7se.
"PS You'll also have to choose a high-cut slope to determine how sharply the top of the woofer output rolls off."

This part I understand, however, is it possible to determine the low point roll off on the sub? To kind of "limit" them until I have a proper living space to max them out?

My second question: Monitors seem to span a wide variety of sizes. For my room size, what traits should I be looking for? ie: Woofer size, driver arrangement, freq response.

The Carver CRM's for sale look good but I cant fund much information on them. That's a huge ribbon tweeter!