How do you determine how much to spend on speakers

Sensitivity rating on the speakers should be a consideration if you like your music loud and you are on a budget. Less $$$$ to spend on an amp capable of driving your speakers to a satisfying volume.
Another note.....I think on a modest system interconnects and speaker cables are the last thing I would spend big bucks on. Blue Jean cables makes good stuff for a very reasonable price. Keep in mind that I am new at this too, but I believe that to be sound advise based on my experience.

I just replaced the 901s with a pair of Klipsch RF7s. Wow! What a speaker!!! Blows the 901s back to the 70s where they should have stayed. For $1800. I am very happy.

i would call klaus at odyssey and tell him you want a 5k digital system. you could probably get his top of the line speakers with that. then you have 45 days to decide if it blows you away, and i'm sure it will. the components are all trade in approved if you want to upgrade later. i'm sure he can suggest an economical cd player that "works" with the rest of the system. i don't own any odyssey gear but i have heard it plenty at my cousins house and it is very good. if i had known then what i know now i would have gone that way, the price is right and you get great synergy.

Hi All,

The challenge so far is the room size 20'x18'. Any new suggestions?

There is a bigger difference in sound quality/characteristics between speakers than there is between electronics. Therefore, speakers are DEFINITELY where the money must be spent.