I just found this thread so the response might be a bit late to help.
I have four systems in my home and in my budget system I have the Pioneer FS52s and the Yamaha AS301 and sitting on top of the FS52s (temporarily) are the new Elac B6s. I also have a second set of FS52 in the master bedroom and a set of BS22s in the garage.
The FS52 or Elac B6s and the Yamaha AS301 work quite well together.
The FS52 color balance a bit more to the warm side, but soundstages very well for a very cheap speaker, but gets congested at higher volume on all of my amps. It’s great used at lower levels.
The Elac B6 is what everyone is saying about it. it’s no more efficient than the Pioneer, but plays clean and loud with very good bass for a tiny bookshelf (stand mount). These don’t work at all well right up against a wall (rear port) forget it as a bookshelf. Mine are 70" out from the wall.
They are very neutral, detailed and a little less warm than the Pioneers, but big thing is that they don’t go to pieces at high volume like the Pioneers do. Also great soundstage, depth, width that easily goes beyond the outer edges of the speakers on the right material.
Although a little late, I hope this helps.
"I forgot to mention that I will be listening to NPR on Saturdays. I've got a Parasound T3 tuner stashed away OR I would need a receiver w/ FM (the Audioengine set-up won't work for me.)"
Try steaming Santa Monica College's 89.9 KCRW. IMO, the best, by far, of the public broadcasting stations.