if you have the space.

The MMGs are indeed an excellent choice in that price range, although I wonder if your amp is quite up to driving them. If you meant "bookshelf" in the literal sense, there are quite a few worthy choices (although they'll all sound better away from the wall, on stands). Besides the ones you mentioned, there are models from Paradigm, PSB, Polk, and Wharfedale worth considering.

Welcome, btw (from another newbie).

and the Yamaha A-S500 can output about 115 wpc into 4 Ohms, which should be adequate for all but the loudest listening levels the MMGs are capable of producing.  The MMGs do take up more room than bookshelves on stands and like to be into the room somewhat, but the listening for most is worth it.