Bogdan: I am afraid for 500.00, you'd probably can't do better than what she came up with.
I bought a pair of Image 5T for my sister and they are not bad at all considering their price. The only thing I can criticize about the 5T is that they do not have the warm midrange of some of the high-end British speakers. Other than that, as far as imaging, dynamic, top-to-bottom balance, they are really good especially at their price range. Or you could buy a pair of Acoustic Energy Aegis 1 (this is the older model NOT the EVO) for about 200.00 which would give you 300 for a used integrated amp.
As for the amp, you could buy a used Nad 320BEE for about 300.00 which may bring the cost up a bit and you have to forego the AM/FM or you can save money to by decent second hand AM/FM radio later.
I bought a pair of Image 5T for my sister and they are not bad at all considering their price. The only thing I can criticize about the 5T is that they do not have the warm midrange of some of the high-end British speakers. Other than that, as far as imaging, dynamic, top-to-bottom balance, they are really good especially at their price range. Or you could buy a pair of Acoustic Energy Aegis 1 (this is the older model NOT the EVO) for about 200.00 which would give you 300 for a used integrated amp.
As for the amp, you could buy a used Nad 320BEE for about 300.00 which may bring the cost up a bit and you have to forego the AM/FM or you can save money to by decent second hand AM/FM radio later.