Try linking up with local audio gatherings or attending an audio fest.
Listen to as many as possible, but no more than 3 or 4 a day (you'll get confused).
Bring music that you're familiar with and represents stuff you like.
Paradigm is well made and reasonably priced (for traditionally marketed stuff).
Salk offers better value, superior service, and can customize.
Quad offers different styles of speakers, so your reference to them doesn't help.
The Joseph Audio speakers I've heard emphasize detail. Make sure you do long auditions as this can eventually become very fatiguing.
By 80's music I assume you mean pop music. Much of that wasn't well recorded or particularly demanding on speakers go (not a slam, I just bought one of those TV packages of 80's soft rock hits because musically I'd slept through the decade). For a small room, a medium/large standmount or small floorstander should work fine.
Check out the audiocircle vendors. They offer great service and excellent prices. ACI, Salk, and GR come to mind. Outside of audiocircle I recommend Ascend Acoustics, again excellent products, service, and value. If your interested in home theater, I'd think about going the route of two small speakers with a subwoofer, so you can add to it later. You could do very well within your stated budget.
