BEST SPEAKERS AT A REASONABLE PRICE

I am also in search of a portable speaker for traveling what are some good options... 

I agree with all who mentioned Vandersteen and Magnepan. I have MMGs in one system and 2CE Sig2s in another. Both are stellar at a lower price point. I would agree the Magnepans need quality power to sound thier best. I use a Parasound A21 amp.

Open baffle speakers, like my recommendation (Emerald Physics KCIIs) don’t need no stinkin center channel

The upgraded KCIIs with carbon fiber drivers is available for $1999, delivered.

Reasonable price? Find yourself a vintage pair of DCM Time Frame speakers 500, 600 or 700, you'll be n pleased. Roughly $350-550 tops.

Used KEF 104 @ about $500 pr.  

I'm in about the same budget range as OP, although I've actually lowered my dollar amount seeing what's available out there! I started this hunt a couple of months ago looking at the Monitor Audio Silver 300, but in reality these are too large for my space - even though they're much smaller than the speakers I'm seeking to replace.

I like the KEF R100 for a warmer sound but they are clearing out the R500 floor standers for a good price. Heard good things about several of the ones mentioned. But you have to listen for yourself. There are so many good but different sounds to the same source. Also may want to consider Focal and Dali.

The R500's are 50% off right now, and it looks like that's my final choice. The size of the drives is right for the listening space. And $1400 (with lovely 10% CA sales tax) puts it in a nice spot. The R5's are only $2k, but the build quality isn't as high as the older ones. Heck, if the OP has the space, the R700's are $2k/pr. I've heard some people prefer the R500's because they blend more seamlessly with the UniQ. YMMV.

The Dali Oberon 5 look interesting but perhaps a bit small, the 7's on the other hand might be perfect for the OP. Cool design. Plus, they're not vinyl wrap like the Zendor.

I've always respected Focal speakers, and some fantastic prices have popped up briefly on the 948's. In fact, there's a pair at A4L right now in piano black for $2500. Probably because it's their last pair. NEW! That's a crazy great price.

I like the idea of active speakers as they will sidestep the issue of amplifier adequacy. While I believe most actives are class D, my understanding is since they are voiced with the specific speaker in mind you get more positives out of that synergy than you give up in the arguably inherent weaknesses of class D. LS50s also come in active configuration with direct streaming and DAC built in. Not listened to them myself but heard good things.

Millercarbon is right in that if you really care about good sound that receiver is not going to cut it.  If you just watch video it will be fine with Best Buy speakers but you’ve come to the old guys here to learn about how to make your music sound great, right?  He’s also absolutely right about a center channel wrecking your sound:  2- channel is where it’s at for the best sounding music.

Wc1 is also right in that most of the recommendations for speakers you’re getting from here need much better and more expensive electronics to make them sound good.  
So here you are.  Getting mostly advice from old guys with their favorite traditional stereo stuff.  
You may be in the wrong place.  
Instead, have a look at this:

https://swanspeakers.com/product/m3a/

And go watch this:
https://youtu.be/YEx1_-wmgNI

of course I could be completely wrong and you really do want to join the ranks of us perpetually dissatisfied cranky old farts.... 

+ The Maggies are cheap, but their power amp requirements raises the cost of ownership.

I strongly second the  Magnepan 1.7i.  If you have a lot of power and add a REL sub the sound will be hard to beat.

—> Monitor Audio
—> PSB Imagine 
—> Golden Ear Triton

There is a used pair of Focal Aria 936 speakers listed currently on Audiogon ( not by me) asking $2,100. I own both the Focal Electra 1028be and the Focal Chorus 836v in a second system. Very happy with both. Many rave about the Aria line and the 936 in particular. Pretty efficient/ easy to drive and very musical. 
I also agree with the recommendation to get a good integrated amp. Many can be had used on Audiogon that can meet your needs for under $1,000, including a Marantz PM-8006 for $899 that will easily drive the Focals, has a pre out for your sub (may not need with Focals for music) and has a built in phono stage if you want  to add vinyl. I have purchased over a dozen items used on Audiogon and have been pleased with every purchase experience.

the Marantz, the Focals and a Bluesound Node would be quite a nice system.   
Enjoy. 

$2499 will buy you a pair of the already-mentioned Eminent Technology LFT-8b, and unlike the somewhat similar Magneplanar LRS, .7i, and 1.7i (all being magnetic-planars), which are a 4 ohm load and require a considerably stout power amp, the LFT-8b is an easy 8 ohm load (better for tubes) and requires less power. The Maggies are cheap, but their power amp requirements raises the cost of ownership.

Paradigm speakers at any price level blow the doors off anything else in the same price range including their subs.

There are many issues to consider.   

- What kind of music do you listen to?
- How loud do you want to listen?
- How big is your room?
- WAF

One of my all-time favorite systems belongs to a buddy who runs a pair of late 70's vintage KEF Calinda loudspeakers being driven by a Marantz 8B tube amp.  You can find Calindas for about $500/pair, but most are in Europe.  Hard to find in the USA.  I'd run a VTA ST70 to drive 'em and they can be had in kit form for about $800, and assembled for about $1000.

But you want to run your receiver and the Calinda is extremely revealing of what an amp sounds like.  I wouldn't want to run them on an Onkyo SS receiver.

What would be an *awesome* value would be to build the SEAS Thor kit, from Madisound, for a bit less than $2500.  A similar commercial loudspeaker from Joseph Audio sells for $12,000, so you get a good idea of the value proposition there.   If you're not up for doing the wood working, any kitchen cabinet maker could knock out the enclosures for you without much difficulty and depending on your budget, could offer any number of finishes.  One friend took his enclosures to an auto body paint shop and for $500, got something which looks very cool.

First off, you are using a surround sound receiver which is great for multi-channel video and music, but it limits the 2 channel Hi-Fi sound that you can get from a decent 2 channel system. I would recommend that you use that fund to invest in a 2 channel stereo integrated amp and speakers. You can spend around $1500 with a quality Solid State amp or a Tube amp or a Tube Hybrid amp and then a $1000 on a set of speakers. I have a Vincent SV237 Hybrid amp and a set of Klipsch Forte speakers which I really love (no subwoofer needed). I have removed the bottom risers from the Forte and have then on a speaker stand that points the mid-high horns to my head level which puts the sweet spot where it needs to be. My goal is to create the live experience from a 2 channel music which is really the what artist has intended us to hear. Hope this help which ever way you decide go.

Take a look at the speaker line from Monitor Audio. I have Monitor Audio Gold 100. Across their line there is good value from the price. Their floor standing as well as book shelves sound very good. The type of music that is your preference may should also be taken into consideration. I like jazz and speakers that are dynamic, clean and generally neutral. If heavy rock, R&B, or some other pop genre with very heavy bass you may want to consider other brans. There is obvious a wide range to select from

It is my opinion...many of todays speakers are fluff,hi tech looks and garbage...TheHOF audio engineers of yesterday are gone.....Too many of todays speakers are utilizing expensive parts to arrive at a less than ideal audible solution resulting in money flying out the window constantly in search of something to be lived with....The more spent the less satisfied.......Get a solid 2 way classic,well balanced and accurate and you’ll all save yourself alot of bucks..maybe put it into the electronics driving them....

@tblanka +1 for the Tannoy!- 

I purchased an all tannoy setup about 15 years ago for my A/V system  and still have them - they are all still working flawlessly
- Fusion 4 Towers for the front
- Fusion centre channel
- Fusion 1 for the rear

I also looked at Klipsch in the same snack bracket, and found a store that carried both that I could audition.

It was pretty close...
- Klipsch were very dynamic but a little bit brighter that the Tannoy and depending on personal preference they might be better for Surround sound
- The Tannoys won out on musical presentation

I drove them with a 70w/channel Denon 5.1 A/V receiver

There are higher priced/perofrming model/ranges like the Revolution models that use the Tannoy centre mounted tweeter.

The only thing to be aware of with Tannoy is that they can require a little more toe-in that other brands to achieve an excellent image.

Hope that helps

FWIW - I have a pair of the Polk Audio LSiM 705’s I bought 2 years ago and love them. Polk is currently offering a 50% off on their website. Wish I got in on that deal ! Might be just what you looking for and in your budget !

https://www.polkaudio.com/products/lsim705

As you can see, asking that question here is like asking a herd of cats which way to go. 

Eminent Technology LFT-8b has low distortion and transparency rarely heard in your price range.  Downside is it completely trashes poor recordings.   

RBH

Ie - the recs here for maggies or your consideration of Kef Q series are both off base given your amp in my limited experience. I have owned both and i didnt think either sounded satisfying unless paired w something orders of magnitude above what you are using for amplification. I have never owned tektons but suspect they may be something for you to seriously consider. Same with dirty weekends. Both are speakers i would argue cross over between life style and audiophile and are supposed to be forgivingly easy to drive. If on the other hand you buy something simply off the reviews and ignore db rating, you may end up trapped into having to upgrade you amp. Most hifi speakers are analogous to a magnifying lens. The more expensive, the greater the magnification. Receiver generally dont “look” good at high levels of magnification and dont have power to make low db rated speakers shine

I have owned Maggie 0.7s, Revel F30s in my primary system and KEF and Elacs in my secondary system. Currently running Devore 9s in my primary driven by a LM tube amp. The lesson I have learned is that efficiency is the key to the “at a reasonable price” part of the equation. Going efficient will give you a lot of flex w the amp that will save you $. 

Martin logan electromotion Esl, Vandersteen 2ce, Magnapan 1.7i with REL 5i sub or any sonus faber, Monitor Audio, B&W, KEF, Paradigm. Dont know how Focal and Dynaudio sound at 2500 but look for them too. 

I have GoldenEar products and love them.  

There are a plethora of choices in your price range, to be sure.  If you like Klipsch - real Klipsch - then the Heresy IV https://www.klipsch.com/products/heresy-iv-floorstanding-speaker#product-specs would be your choice, but do yourself a favor and pair them with a tube amp.  I have never heard a Klipsch speaker of any kind (and I've been in to audio for 45 years, including pro audio, and owning a HiFi store back in the day) sound 'right' on even the best solid state gear.  On the other hand, I have heard Cornwalls and an ancient McIntosh MC-240 sound damn near magical.  Going 180 degrees the opposite direction, Magneplanar 1.7i  http://www.magneplanar.com/model_17 will have size and detail nothing else in this price range can touch.  Just make sure you can pull them away from the walls a couple feet, and that your amp is happy at 4 Ohms. Pivoting yet again, it's hard to ignore the pedigree of the KEF R3 https://us.kef.com/speakers/hi-fi-speakers/rseries.html . Think of them as a more forgiving LS-50 with an extra octave of bass or a working man's Reference 1 https://us.kef.com/speakers/hi-fi-speakers/the-reference/reference-1-ultimate-bookshelf-speaker-pair.html .  Or for that matter, buy a pair of LS-50s  https://us.kef.com/catalog/product/view/id/1143/s/ls50-mini-monitor-speaker-pair/category/219/ - $899/pr at KEF direct, and get a genuine no-holds-barred Class A speaker and spend the change on a subwoofer.  And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Goldenear https://www.goldenear.com/products/triton-series Triton 3 (powered woofer) and Triton 5 (all-passive). So, there are my Top 5 (well 7, counting options) recommendations in the $2500-ish range, each with a distinct approach to sound reproduction, each with impeccable credentials. Happy listening.

OK, brace yourself.  I wasn't expecting to like them this much.  I have an old pair of Genesis APM-1s that simply weren't doing it for me anymore.  I needed more.   I've had them for over 10 years, having bought them used.  I bought the JBLs strictly on current owners' reviews.  I was blown away.  They have made my Genesis irrelevant.   I'm not just talking out my ass here when I say that I am finally 100% happy with the sound that I have now.  Everything sounds incredible.   Those reviews you have read are not exaggerating one bit.   Worse case scenario, you can return them if you don't like them.  I'm curious to see what you decide and looking forward to reading your impressions should you get them.   

@shtinkydog,

Those JBLs look killer for under a grand! They really do get rave reviews. What all have you compared them to? Im half tempted to order up a pair. 

soix, I listened to everything at Magnolia and found the ARCAM 505 to be much much better.  You could get a deal at Listen Up in Denver.

Paradigm 85F floorstanding speaker plus their 55C center channel.  You can call Scott at The Sound Shop in Colorado Springs.  He will give you a screaming deal.  Tell him Larry Edwards sent you.

If the JBL Studio 590s are still on sale for a grand a pair, I'd jump on them.  They are crazy good.  Read around.

The Vandersteen 1ci and the center channel VCC-1 are within your budget!
https://www.vandersteen.com/products/model-1ci


https://www.vandersteen.com/products/vcc-1

Consider the KLH Kendalls. They are beautiful with their real wood veneer and they sound great! I auditioned them against Klipsch Forte IIIs and chose the KLH over the Klipsch.

I just order the Magnapan 0.7's and if you can drive and place them correctly they are hard to beat for the price, but I'm still keeping my DT Mythos ST's that I use for HT. They are a predisesor to the Goldenear line of speakers. I love that they have  built in sub making them a truly full range speaker. So the the Goldenear Triton 7 tower speaker might be a good one to consider.  Good luck 🎻

DALI’s Oberon towers and Vokal are worth a try if a local dealer displays them. Forget Focal...their new Chora line doesn’t even offer a Center channel model, and their last one, the Chorus 900CC, frankly sucked. I also think Ohms should be on your list...if you can get to hear them. 

No simple answer.  It really depends on your system, your room, and your listening preferences.  There are some good bargains to be had in used floorstanding speakers, if you don't mind a nick or a scratch.  You can usually end up paying half or less.  A used set of La Scalas?

...I'm a big fan of the KIS principal.  I only add the 2nd S if I think it's deserved.... ;)

Speakers are and will always be the Biggest Modifier of your experience.

Going 'integrated' at the same time inserts another variable into your equation...which, IMHO (millercarbon, please Note..*s*) has already become a whole new one by nature...

Again....MHO....and I'll stand with it.

@tblanka ...Keep the Onk for awhile (I looked up the specs...it's far from 'ghastly', y'all. *S* Stop pushing the bias....), and buy the speakers you Want and Like the sound of....

(Currently that model is $200~350 on eBay....just for reference sake...)

You can use your sub with the 'newbies' and make the call:
Love It....or List It. ;)

Play with your space like all good audi's ought to...right? *G*

THEN (and only when), make the call on 'separates'....and what the budget might cope with. *S*

If the 'home system' can't 'do' NPR on the weekend in my local focal locus....On Demand.....it makes for a 'long weekend' and not necessarily pleasant at times....

As is said:
"Your Results May Vary...."  
I don't know yours...;) *L*
Happy hunting/listening....

You'll need a load of power and a big square room with walls behind them though. 

Magnepan 1.7i

If you're just gonna connect em to a receiver, don't bother. Unless you plan on upgrading to an integrated. Only then will you understand just how poorly the receiver was serving you. Not to mention the misleading advice that led you to rely on it in the first place. Sorry. Lotta misleading advice out there.

Also if you're gonna go the HT center channel route don't bother. With two speakers set up properly the center image will be better from two good speakers (driven by an integrated amp, not a receiver) than any three speakers you can buy for the same budget. 

Its all about the budget- and not the size of the budget either but what's in it.

Get two of the best Tekton you can afford. Ditch the receiver ASAP for a decent integrated. And instead of putting all your money into one sub spread the same budget out over four.

As mentioned previously, there are some Salk models that would be a good choice. For something a little unique take a look at Ohm Walsh's.

Elac. Andrew Jones, aka Mr. TAD, is a genius. See if they are your cup of tea 

Vandersteen 2

At $2500, I would think there are a lot of good options.  At the end, it's all about personal preferences though, especially at this price point (assuming brand new).  

I am getting Paradigm prestige soon for audio only.  But I think the Premier would work well as someone else mentioned.  I like the KEF R100 for a warmer sound but they are clearing out the R500 floor standers for a good price.  Heard good things about several of the ones mentioned.  But you have to listen for yourself.  There are so many good but different sounds to the same source.  Also may want to consider Focal and Dali.

I can second the Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers.  I have a pair and they are great!

Magnepans SLM's come in at only 650 a pair and get great reviews if you have the room