"I can get the stands separately in addition to $4k for the speakers."
-Aitchnu
Then you will certainly want to audition the magnificent Intuitive Design Summits. I was (and still am) so thrilled with how they sounded, that I posted a review in November, 2005 on Audiogon. I don't really expect people to believe all of what I said, but hopefully it will prompt a few folks to at least LISTEN to these if they're in the market for speakers (even if they have to drive somewhere to do it--these are very special and it would be worth the effort, in my opinion). Only then will they see (hear) what I mean.
Here's the link:
Intuitive Design Summit Loudspeakers--An Unsolicited Review