Best sounding bookshelf speakers under $400???

[LazyListener]

Hi all. I'll try to make this simple, in the hopes of getting as many opinions as possible. First of all, since "best sounding" is subjective, let me try to define what "best sounding" means to me. I'm looking for the following sound qualities and other speaker characteristics:

• passive (not powered) bookshelf speakers to be used in a 2.0 setup
• will be used in a small to medium sized room
• small speakers that sound big
• must sound good at all volume levels; at low volume, must retain balanced tone and detail
• very wide and deep soundstage; wide dispersion; 3-D soundfield
  
• natural, balanced tonality; not boomy, thick, or thin sounding
  
• clarity, detail, separation; transparency (no boxy or muffled sound)
  
• smooth; no harshness, sibilance, or peakiness in the treble
• a beautiful, realistic midrange; vocals with body that soar and shimmer
• bass level in line with mids and highs; enough to give fullness and body
• not expecting much if any low bass, but mid-high bass should be fairly accurate and have at least some punch

I know my list may look like I'm asking for everything under the sun. Not really. I'm asking which speakers come closest to most if not all of these traits, and if you have any suggestions, it would help to know what they have from this list and what they lack from this list. Here's some of the one's I'm looking at so far:

• KEF Q300 - supposedly the biggest soundstage, but cabinets are a bit bigger than I'd like; read they need wattage to sound best, so not sure they'll sound detailed and balanced at low volume
• DALI Zensor 1 - some say a tad too much treble, and others say not enough bass.
• Wharfedale Diamond 220 - smaller soundstage than others; some say not as detailed and open as others
• Q Acoustics 3020 - smallest cabinets, but worried bass won't be enough; some say the treble is rolled off a bit

Any suggestions between these 4, or others?

P.S. I added a poll for the 4 models listed above just for fun. I know it's more of a popularity contest, but feel free to vote for your favorite. I'm intentionally leaving out the ELAC B series since it's extremely popular and would likely monopolize the poll. If you vote for "Other," feel free to post here which model you prefer and why. Remember, passive bookshelf speakers under $400 USD (current pricing as of this post).

Thanks!!

 

[Beyakusenn]

I would like to recommend the Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55. Amazing, large sounding little speakers.

 

[LazyListener]

I would like to recommend the Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 55. Amazing, large sounding little speakers.

Thanks for the recommend. These typically run around $600/pair but I guess go on sale sometimes close to $400/pair. Have you ever heard any of the ones in the list I provided, so as to be able to provide a comparison between the Def Tech SM55?

 

[Beyakusenn]

Yes, I have heard the KEF and the Wharfedale.
It's been a while so I can't go into too much detail, but from memory: The KEFs sound overall detailed, but more harsh then the Def Tech. The perceived sound of the KEFs is more v-shaped.
The Wharfedales Are well balanced and overall great performers, but they lack the deep bass of the Def Tech. I don't remember the soundstage to be disappointing, but it didn't stand out either.

 

[Me x3]

Hey,

DALI Zensor 1 is not bright. It's quite sweet in the treble indeed.
The bass goes deep, deeper than you might probably expect, but it's not the most visceral kind of bass.
I've liked them very much, would buy them again. Like most DALIs it's not an analytic tool.

Me x3