budget towers? $500/pair

I think I'm really leaning towards something like those wharf 9.6's. Just worried about not being able to audition the speakers i've been looking at. I think I'll try to settle on the speakers with the most detailed sound and tight bass from what I read around. Would be very disappointed to buy a set of floorstanders and get a very "meh" experience from them, but I guess you get what you pay for if you aren't careful researching sometimes.

I had some older Wharfedale Diamond 8.1's in a second system, and liked them for what they cost me. They do a couple of things very well - rich and tuneful midrange, and good spatial presentation. Their biggest sins are sins of omission - a slight lack of sparkle on top, and of course as a for smallish stand mount there is a lack of deep bass.

I have heard the 9 series Diamonds and they are better in every way than the 8's - same compelling midrange, but better treble and bass and less coloration from the cabinets at higher volumes. The 9.6's are a good bargain, better speakers than most of the other new speakers listed here for your budget - maybe comparable to the PSB's, and would give some (much) older Vandersteens 2's available for that price a run for their money. Of course, garbage in, garbage out of any decent speaker, and better associated gear will be rewarded with the Wharfedale speakers.

Thanks! I found a set of paradign millenia 200's on amazon for 548 shipped new? Which is kinda strange bc they are nearly a grand on tsto.com.
Pretty different design than those wharfs, better or just different sounding? I can imagine the low end will be weaker with those on account of their size and freq rating, but Im not apposed to getting a sub eventually. Thanks again for the info on the wharfs. much appreciated!

Klemke89,
Energy made a speaker that was very similar to the Millenia 200 called the Take Tower.I own a pair.They are terrific for Home Theater and are at their best with a sub.Anothe store near my home (World Wide stereo) was closing them out for $129 each on their website:

http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/take-twr-overview/

http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/energy-speakers-take-fps-and-take-twr/

Of course if you don't mind a couple of dings, there is a pair of NHT 2.9's for $650 avaiable here, link below, now that's value --> http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1276805149