Best speakers under $500? Fire away!

Now for something completely different, if you can DIY a little, the Lx minis from Madisound  are in your price range. The caveat is that you need to biamp using the Linkwitz active crossover, which may blow your budget. These do the best staging I have heard in this price range, and look , er, awesome, if you are into steam punk

Not into DIY nor streaming punk.  But thank you for the suggestion!  :)

"I think I have narrowed down my choices to the ELAC Debut B6 and Wharfedale Diamond 10.1.  Both are roughly $259 shipped and can be returned easily.  Sensitivity is 86/87db for both."

Keep in mind that because both are 6 ohm speakers, that sensitivity rating is for 1.5 watts. Correcting to a 1 watt rating will be 84.5/85.5.

OK... I think I have narrowed down my choices to the ELAC Debut B6 and Wharfedale Diamond 10.1.  Both are roughly $259 shipped and can be returned easily.  Sensitivity is 86/87db for both.  

Any input on which way I should go?

Buy them both, audition them with your system and keep the pair you like best.  Send the other back.

I have both the b6 and 10.2 . The Elac has a lot more wow factor, 10.2 is just as good.The b6 is a clear choice.