[dlowman]

Best speakers I have ever heard were the EFE ones.  A couple of models might fall into your price range.  I have the t-20s that were $890 a pair but they are incredible.  The $300 bookshelfs you can build of his design are prtty hot too.

Dan

[bikeman]

If you already own a sub, the 340s would be over kill with the 170s available IMO.  The cabinet finish doesn't look like much, so minimizing the size would be another plus.

I respect your opinion on the 170's but many of us, including the guy who designed the 170's, don't share it.  The 340's, with or without a sub are well worth the extra $$$.  They're both excellent values at their respective price points but the additional cost comes with useful benefits.  
The 170's are shorter than the 340's but are wider.  I perfer the look of the 340.  It's shorter width and additional height was a visual plus in my set-up.  

I'll be buying a 340 for center channel use and a pair of 200s for the rear channels after we move into new digs to fill out my 5.1 system.

I'm going with the 200's for rears as well.  They'll replace the Altec-Lansing 75's that are currently doing surround duty.  

David

[tex-amp]

If you already own a sub, the 340s would be over kill with the 170s available IMO.  The cabinet finish doesn't look like much, so minimizing the size would be another plus.

The 170 is a great speaker and if you can find a better one for under $350 buy it. The 340 is a better speaker though.  It can go louder with less distortion.  In my opinion it gives you the timbre of the instruments in addition to getting the notes right like the 170.  The 340 is a thinner albeit taller cabinet than the 170's which many find more appealing.

[JLM]

I'm not a fan of MTM (heck my audio speakers are single, full range driver based), but realize that it complies better with THX standards.  The 170 is certainly not a looksome little beast.  Not having heard the 340 I'll defer to the opinion of others in regards to sound quality.