$3000 Speaker/electronics budget

Actually, I like Memeboy answer very much.

Once again the common variables exist that are not being adressed here. For instance, how big is the room, what is the layout like? What are his listening habits and source material choices mostly. I mean is a he a "metal head" or quiet classical and instrumentals guy. Also, is he a loud listener, or quiet listener mostly. Does he walk around the room/home listening to background music a lot. Or does he like to sit "anchored" in his only chair in his listening room, and listens always by himself...or does he have a wide seating arrangement???
These ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE in gear choices! There's not "recommend for a budget" More info please!!!!
Otherwise, I'll recommend Bose and be done with you.(lol)
Room dimmensions preferable, thanks...

What girlfriend should I get?

Budget is $100 per week, time commitment is 10 hours per week

The new Ascend Acoustics SEAS Editions with a Hsu Research sub would be hard to beat for sound quality under $2000.

"Does he walk around the room/home listening to background music a lot. Or does he like to sit "anchored" in his only chair in his listening room, and listens always by himself...or does he have a wide seating arrangement???
These ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE in gear choices! There's not "recommend for a budget" More info please!!!! Otherwise, I'll recommend Bose and be done with you."

A fair point, but a bit overstated given the price constraints. If the friend has a huge room I really can't think of anything reasonable that can be done in this price range. In a smallish to midsized room, my recommendations more or less stay the same. I would simply buy different speakers within the product ranges I recommended. As to how any speakers are going to sound in a *specific* room, based on my experiences with home auditions, I think it is a bit reckless to make many pronouncements other than the most obvious related to size. The friend needs to hear the speakers at home in the room in question before buying. That is one of the reasons I would bite the bullet and buy the speakers new.