Budget American made speakers?

Klipsch Forte IIIs have a new mid horn that supposedly improved them (according to a salesman I met). I think most audio geeks are like me in the sense that since Klipsch "Heritage" stuff has been around so long we forget about it (the new stuff looks great but I have zero experience with those), and I was surprised at how refined the Heresy IIIs are…not much bass (I have subs so don't care) but they're coherant little masterpieces anyway, and still a great design that works. Compared to modern beautiful and shiny stuff from pretty much everybody else they do seem somewhat pedestrian square boxes, but get around that and partner them with good gear and man…sweet efficiency for days...

Another vote for Omegas, Louis is a cabinet maker by trade I believe and his cabinetry is beautiful.  I had a rare early pair of the Grande 8's a while back in Sapele that were awesome.  Now he uses better drivers and his stuff always seems to be evolving.  

Wondering if your wife thinks  floor standing speakers are just big and ugly because she has not seen anything beyond what one sees in the BB type of store.  Vandersteen 1c's  is one that comes to mind as anything but big and ugly, with their choice of stain color and small footprint..