Best speaker under $500

Not speaker. You might check out the Cambridge Audio electronics. Their CD player d500se (349) and a500 integrated (389) are excellent starter audiophile quality stuff. The Paradigm Studio 20 is a step above the B&W 302 and 602 IMHO. Used for about $450-500.

HI, FOR UNDER $500. I WOULD LOOK FOR A PAIR OF USED DAHLQUIST DQ 10 SPEAKERS.THEY ARE TRULY STATE OF THE ART.YOU HAVE TO HEAR THEM TO BELIEVE HOW GOOD THEY ARE!!THEY LIKE A TUBE PREAMP AND AT LEAST 200 WATTS/CH. OF SOLID STATE POWER. ENJOY,RICH

OK, more blind reponses/suggestions which could be available used in your range should include (generally in my order of preference): Vandersteen 2's in some variant, ProAc Tablette in some variant, NHT 2.5i, PSB Stratus Bronze, NHT S1/S2, etc. I have heard all of these set up well and sounding great - but in very different conditions and with very different gear ahead of them. YMWV (Your Mileage WILL Vary) :-)

I would give a serious look at Cambridge Soundworks M80's. These little guys are a 2 way speaker with a 8 in woofer. They put out amazing bass for such a small speaker. They run 450.00 a pr. You get a 10 yr warranty too!..They offer a 45 day in home trial so it might be worth your time!

Michael

If your looking to buy used, you've already been given some good suggestions. However, if your looking new, and as a new audiophile, you want to be able to listen to the speakers you are buying, not always easy when buying used. My recommendation would be the Paradigm Monitor 5v.2. Retail at $525 but you should be able to get a pair well under $500. This speaker does everything "well" with no glaring weak spots. Great soundstaging, fairly deep bass, very, very clean midrange, superb build quality and will not be real picky about what you hook it up to. It will sing with budget electronics, and sound better as your system improves. Just my opinion. I use a pair in my bedroom system. I've got some spendy stuff in the basement which sounds better, but the difference is small. The Paradigm is a steal at this price.