Best budget bookshelf speakers for 3-600 dollars.

On second thought should I be concentrating on getting mini-monitors??

Perhaps you could give us actual room dimensions and your planned speaker placement and listening distances? Do you plan to listen to the integrated amp/speakers while using your computer and/or watching TV?

Daimbert, no criticism intended here, but you do seem a bit befuddled, and I'm not sure a dozen more posts recommending different speakers is going to solve that problem. So my first suggestion is to stop asking for advice and get out and listen to some speakers. Start to figure out what you like, rather than worrying about what everybody else likes. When you pin things down a little, you can come back here and ask some more specific questions.

On the bookshelf vs. floorstander question, my advice is to go with the bookshelf. (Yes, you'll need stands, but you don't need to spend an arm and a leg for these. Just look for something stable.) I don't think there are too many good floorstanders in your price range. You're buying more bass, but not necessarily a lot more bass, and probably not better bass. I prefer a speaker that doesn't try to do everything, because it's more likely to do most things right.

Something like the Paradigm Monitor 3 or the PSB Image B25 or the Infinity Beta 20 might suit you. All run in the $400-500 range. I suggest you check their websites to find dealers in your area.

Jean-Marie Reynaud Twins or Dynaudio Audience 40/42-50/52's. The Dynaudios will need a bit more power to sound better. My friend owns the Twins and they sound great. Both can be found used in your price range. Good luck.

If you are able: give Mission, Quad 12L, Monitor Audio silver series (older silver i or newer s), or Paradigm a try. You should be very happy with any of the above if it fits sonically into your system. IMHO check out the new Absolute Sound issue, has their best components list.