Here's a good deal on a very strong 4 channel
http://store.yahoo.com/yhst-17990866...l-px300-4.html
Sounddomain should pricematch that.
Then look into some components that will take advantage of that power. Some that come to mind are Boston Z6's(altough out of your budget)
CDT HD's will fit into your budget and do the job nicely, escpecially paired with an Image Upstage kit(extra tweeter and crossover)
Focals can get loud(probably out of budget though)
MBQuart QSD Components would definitely suit your tastes(going by what you say about how you like your highs) they are very detailed and get LOUD, probably over budget though
BTW wiring a component set active means you take out the passive crossover and you run each tweeter on it's own channel and each mid on it's own channel(4 channels total)
^passive crossover
This will allow you to run more power because the crossover isn't limiting how much power you can use.
Although there are crossovers sets that are built for handling high amounts of power, such as CDT's HD and upper lines, Focals, Boston's.
Try to do some auditioning if you can at some good local shops that carry higher end products and see what you like, rmemeber the best speakers are the one's that sound best to your ears, not by what others say. But do take advice from where it is good info. Check out some of the Audio forums and do a search and you see alot of reviews.
Some audio forums to check out
www.elitecaraudio.com
www.soundillusions.net
www.diymobileaudio.com
www.sounddomain.com
www.caraudiocentral.net
http://www.caraudioforum.com/vbb3/index.php
Also keep in mind, most of the final outcome of how well everything sounds is the quality of the installation and the tuning.
Be sure to heavily deaden the doors and the rest of the car, esp. the trunk. Use MDF wood mounting rings to mount the speakers to the door.
Do alot of research. Use the Search function at those forums and read everything.