'great' bookshelf speakers for under 500?

I loved my Totem Ones so the Dreamcatchers might be good. I would recommend the Quad 11L or Dynaudio Audience 42 in your price range (used). Pony up another $100 and look at Quad 12L, Dynaudio Audience 52, Green Mountain Europa or Von Scheikert vr1. These seem to be the most popular at this price point, well reviewed and hold resale value. This again is based on used price. The extra money should possibly buy you a little more bass extention and scale. Lots of nice little speakers out there that dont cost crazy money these days.

triangle titus

I have both the PSB Image 2's and B&W 601's. I have nothing but praise for both of these and they are well under $500.

John

Paradigm Titans are excellent for around $200. Their drivers are better than some speakers over a grand.

Omega Super 3. I've heard most of the speakers on this list and/or their more expensive bretheren, and the Omegas are really something special. I far prefer the Super 3 to the more expensive Grande 6 and Grande 8. At this price point they are very very unusual. For instance, in some aspects of transparency they reminded me of the $16,000 Avantgarde Duo. The Omega Super 3 is so interesting that I could never recommend them to a random stranger without audition. But I would strongly suggest trying to hear them if you possibly can.