I would look into DCM loudspeakers at this link:
http://www.mitekfactoryoutlet.com/products/brand.cfm?brand=6
The TFE-100 and 200 are both in your price range, offer high value for the dollar, and come with a trial period. If you don't like them, you're only out the shipping costs. They are easy to drive, so your AVR should work well with them. I can't promise you won't want a subwoofer, but the TFE-200s I heard didn't need one for music, IMHO.
Buying used is a great idea, money-wise, but if you don't like what you buy, you have to re-sell them and ship them. To me, the time and effort involved in doing that makes buying used speakers that I have not heard unappealing. Unless you go to a dealer showroom specifically to hear used speakers the retailer has for sale, I don't like the idea of abusing the dealer by listening to speakers on display and then buying elsewhere (i.e., Audiogon). Not looking to start a flame-war about dealer shortcomings, but this is something I would not personally be comfortable with.
