Best speakers under $500? Fire away!

you can have my Infinity IL40s for $250...great home theater speakers.

I like the Dynaco A-25 with the NAD 3020. 
I think on par with the AR-3 for much less $. 
Not super detailed or extended highs, but very natural, smooth in ways modern stuff isn't. 
The A-25 is really an early B & O,  back when they made good sounding stuff. Easy to drive and I still think what 200 for a nice pair. 
If you like em, you can upgrade to a nice vintage tube amp for the leftover dough and use the 3020 phono stage. Exactly the path I had my friend take and it sounded very good. Upgrade was to Eico HF-86. 

Would also agree with TC-50. 
Also Epos Es-11 and Es-14. I used to sell them
25 years ago. Minimal crossover, easy loads. 

Was given a pair of Infinity Reference 162s as a warranty replacement from Harman. Thought I would sell them but I'm really impressed with them and now use them for my home theater. Excellent value at $450. $350 or lower New on eBay. Elacs are very good but the R162s are in the same ballpark IMHO. 

I dare make no claim of "best" as this is highly subjective to your complementary components, listening environment, media source, music preference and listening habits, but I do like the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 $249
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15476-wharfedale-diamond-101-bookshelf-speakers-pr.aspx?utm_source=goog...

With current sale prices they fall well within your stilulated $500 budget with these highly recommended speaker stands: Wharfedale Diamand 10.1 (matched pair) $160
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-99915-wharfedale-diamond-101-102-speaker-stands-pr.aspx

The only remaining question is: Where do you find a great sub for $91?