[wushuliu]

Infinity Primus. Not Flavor of the Month, but outstanding measurements/design and they sound terrific (I have the bookshelves). Stereophile gives them thumbs up to boot - and lastly, they are very inexpensive.

P163 $108ea(!) Amazon



P253 $149ea Amazon



P363 $329ea Amazon



Stereophile:

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1007inf/

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/605infinity/

"I'm sure you can find a $300/pair speaker that has some characteristics that you prefer to those of the Infinity Primus P162. And I know that there are more expensive speakers that significantly outperform the Infinity overall. But if you're looking for a speaker that will present detailed, uncolored, dynamic, and involving musical and home-theater experiences independent of the type of music or volume level, you can rest easy in knowing that the Primus P162 will satisfy all of your needs, and will likely give many years of musical satisfaction without you ever feeling the compulsion to upgrade. Infinity, you've done it again."

[srb]

If we go to the DM5A they can be found for $698 a pair here:
http://www.proaudiostar.com/dynaudio-bm5a-mkii.html?gclid=CMvM7KvqprECFXPDtgodKAwAFA

Norman, have you personally dealt with ProAudioStar?  I ask because every retailer seems to be selling the BM5A MKII for $500 each and ProAudioStar is selling them for $350 (although they're listing them for $450 each on their eBay listing [?])

Cambridge Azur 350A (hard to find an quality/low powered integrated for cheap but this one ain't bad) $500:
- 45 wpc, 8 ohms, 5 pairs of RCA inputs

Audio Advisor has the Cambridge 350A on sale for $300.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CA350A

Steve

[Doublej]

If you want new, I am very happy with my HSU HB-1MK2s at $300/pair delivered when on sale. If you want deep bass add a HSU subwoofer for ~$400. Add a receiver and you are good to go.

[wushuliu]

If you want new, I am very happy with my HSU HB-1MK2s at $300/pair delivered when on sale. If you want deep bass add a HSU subwoofer for ~$400. Add a receiver and you are good to go.

Those get great reviews. I'd like to hear them some day. They only go down to 60hz though, making a sub almost mandatory.

[persisting1]

I've never heard the NHT Classic Four, but this seems like a really good deal depending on shipping. I'd hook up the original crossovers though.
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/nht-classic-four-speakers-rare-special-dark-color

I also second the X-Statiks. One of my favorite speakers to date for the money.

[Norman Tracy]

SRB asked "Norman, have you personally dealt with ProAudioStar?" No I have not, firedog says he is asking for a "friend just out of college" and I assume in 2012 a college educated and aged individual knows how to scrub the web for deals and judge for themself if a vendor is trustworthy. Dynaudio is such an A-list company and my friend is so thrilled with his I thought it was worth the risk. Pay with a credit card and worse case one is out the delay waiting on hold at your issuers call center to cancel the payment?

Taken SRB's point that the Dynaudio is a stretch of the budget and we should suggest companies we have history with I will endorse www.markertek.com as a rock solid source. Their Dynaudio are out of the budget but look at this for $360 pair:



http://www.markertek.com/Audio-Equipment/Speakers/Studio-Reference-Monitors/Tannoy-Ltd/TAN-REVEAL501A.xhtml

Another suggestion is the new Paradigm Shift in black ash for $560 pair.



http://store.paradigm.com/PoweredSpeakers/1100000001

Now we have budget for some nice stands.




http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=240-754

So Emotiva USP-1 $382 + Paradigm Shift $560 + Dayton Stands $54 = $996

So I'm out of budget if we include shipping. If that's a deal killer set the speakers on the TV stand or bookcase.

[firedog]

Great suggestions, guys. Thanks a lot.

[Doublej]

Those get great reviews. I'd like to hear them some day. They only go down to 60hz though, making a sub almost mandatory.

Agreed, they definitely need a sub. I am looking to add a Hsu VTF1 Mk2 when it goes on sale.