I'm in Australia, and there are still plenty of good options around.
I got a pair of Dali floorstanders for around AU$1000 a few years back on sale. The Dali Oberon (which I think is the replacement) is $1500 when not on sale right now.
You can get B&W 603s for under AU$3000.
Sure, you aren't getting a 12" woofer - but these are lovely speakers.
Oh yeah, I have a really nice set of JBL floorstanders in a 5.1 cinema set up I bought when I left home 30 years ago but I have never been fully satisfied with the sound. I'm sure its the mid range from the large cones that I'm missing.
The subwoofer I bought at the time doesn't have a large cone on it. The mistake I made I think.
I got a pair of Dali floorstanders for around AU$1000 a few years back on sale. The Dali Oberon (which I think is the replacement) is $1500 when not on sale right now.
You can get B&W 603s for under AU$3000.
Sure, you aren't getting a 12" woofer - but these are lovely speakers.