Best bargain for speaker that can offer top sound

I third the Magnepan line of speakers (had the 1.6 and now have the 3.6r). The one problem (if it is a problem) with them is that the money you save in buying the speakers is needed on upstream components because of how revealing the speakers are.

JBL L150A's !

I have an early merlin vsm gen. III and they compete well against what is out there.

Some top yesteryear speaker models are still made today. If the same speaker has been in production for more than a decade...then go for a second hand model of that (it will be old, relatively cheap, tried and true)!

As for speaker designs that constantly change, one can only wonder why they keep getting it wrong or if design changes are driven by marketing hype rather than top sound.

Cheap speaker with HUGE sound, very seriously, Polk LSi 15, with the unbelievable Ring Radiator tweeter. Much discussions to be found in the Audiogon forums on this unit. If you can stand the Polk badge staring at you (and why not?) there are the BEST speakers for around 1K (probably even less) you can find. Real wood, classy looks, great sound, what's not to like for so little money?

Laughed at by snobby hi-fi shops, (would make more expensive speakers a tougher sell), too expensive at their retail price point for Circuit City shoppers, they are a beautifull oddball that are worth seeking out.

Check them out, they put many more expensive speakers to shame.

I once owned (no kidding) some VERY expensive speakers. We are talking the price a new car here. Are the Polks in the same league? Of course not. But up to $ 4,000.00, they ARE in the running, and this is no joke.

Good luck!
Mike