I hope you are near a dealer where you can audition a pair of B&W PM1 monitors with their PV1D subwoofer. I really wasn't much of a B&W fan until I heard these. The monitors are gorgeous and your wife should love their appearance. The sub can blend seamlessly.
The total price is right around your target price. If you don't go too loud, this is a really musically satisfying rig, which gives up all the musical detail while never drawing attention to it. I heard this setup right after auditioning ARC tube gear driving the Wilson Alexandria XLF, and this B&W setup basically gave you the same thing minus that last half octave of bass slam and sense of limitless dynamics. Within its dynamic limitations the B&W PM1/PV1D combo comes surprisingly close.
Call me crazy if you want; just try it out before you do.
The total price is right around your target price. If you don't go too loud, this is a really musically satisfying rig, which gives up all the musical detail while never drawing attention to it. I heard this setup right after auditioning ARC tube gear driving the Wilson Alexandria XLF, and this B&W setup basically gave you the same thing minus that last half octave of bass slam and sense of limitless dynamics. Within its dynamic limitations the B&W PM1/PV1D combo comes surprisingly close.
Call me crazy if you want; just try it out before you do.