How do you determine how much to spend on speakers

If your goal is the best possible sound today, splurge on components and then add reasonable capable speakers. Don't cap a mediocre system off with great speakers unless you are committed to upgrading those components down the road. Great speakers just let you hear more of the source.

What ever the wife says.

Alas it is my bank-account,not I that 'makes' the decision.
Otherwise I would directly order the biggest from Nuddel.
Regards,

Don't worry what your're spending...worry about what you're getting. For example, if you find a pair of used speakers (by being extremely patient) for $250 that were $1800 new then you will have a lot more money for the other stuff. Just have the discipline to use what you have until you find a bargain too good to pass up and build like that. Only buy the best bargains and don't be afraid to use sources in addition to Audiogon, where the sellers may not be so sure of the going rates for their stuff. You can buy a $10,000 system for peanuts if you take your time.

Have to agree with Ddd1,buy used your 5 k budget,can turn into a 15 k system by buying used,just pay close attention to how old the cd player is,and if its been serviced or upgraded.I just spent 700 dollars serviceing my cd player.