Best value speakers available

David, I use an Audible Illusions Mod3a (smooth attenuators), Muse 160 amp (a tad soft on top) and a meridian 508.24. Charlie loves his with the Complete integrated, a lot softer than my M3a/Muse. The dealer from whom I bought mine and REG of TAS have used a little sharper more incisive solid state. The nice thing about the Compact 7 is that it works well with almost anything, just better with better and the more power the better.

Oh, and as far as economy speakers go, I think the AE Aegis One is a lot nicer than the B&W, but to each his own.

I second Wirehead and I've heard Clements. I also own them. Dollar for dollar, incredible sound - from the bookshelf to the floorstanding models. Again, I've owned both. Don't understand why more 'philes don't mention them. My interest in B&W is now peaked , however.

Acoustats: anybody else freaking out over these? ive got the model 3s and love them. Can be had for 400-1000. they are big so usually gotta buy locally. are these really that great or am i missing something? i like to hold onto them naked while listening to various renditions of coltrane's spiritual. friends stare but let em!

Thanks Paul: They sound very doable with a reasonably priced push/pull setup. Some of my favorite value speakers have already been listed, but I will repeat them as well as add to the list. Most interesting are the small Magnapan's, and at a higher price I will also include the 1.6's though I am not certain what it would take to push them well, they were auditioned with Plinius. Also note worthy are the Reynaud Twin's (my current speakers being driven by a 7 watt SET), Coincident Triumph SIGs (used price), Castle Acoustics Isis speakers (now discontinued but they kill on classical, jazz and acoustic music, I owned a pair), Soliloquy 5.0's (my favorite of their line and 2nd from the bottom), NHT Super Zero's with a decent sub (don't laugh, I listened to these at a friends house playing full scale classical music with good electronics and a sub and they were quite amazing, but required a fair amount of clean power to perform this way), AE Aegis one (must be completely broken in which is way over 100 hours - maybe closer to 300) and last but not least the Silverline SR17's (used price - one of my favorite mini monitors to date). The "maybe" value speakers for low powered tube amps may be the Hammer Dynamics kit speaker. Never heard them, but they seem to have a following and "good" efficient speakers are usually quite expensive. The Hammers may be my next big project (the basic parts are under $600 plus the cabinet expense) when I get back on my feet and then I will know.

All good recommendations, but my taste leans towards Apogee Stages, CLS1's and Quad's -- all of which can be found at extremely reasonably prices given their performance (all seem to be running in the $1200 to $1400 range). Another value speaker that I like (maybe on the oddball side for some) is the Spica Angeles. Although I currently have three sets of speakers (only one pair in use), I am always soooooo tempted when I see some of the great deals on clasic speakers that are out there.