Budget Speaker Recommendation?

Not a waste of time. What if someone tomorrow wants to look for some inexpensive but good sounding speakers. Then they don't have to search through years of posts.

More info the better, thse posts are constanly read.

Reviving posts to me isn't a waste of time. To me it is showing someone is checking the archives for info rather than just opening a new thread asking the same thing over and over. Also too with older threads being updates it helps us who you the internet to research speakers and gear. We can get an idea as to what has been recommended through the years in one thread rather than going through thread after thread.

To the OPs question I would say a used pair of KEF Q300s would fit the bill. I have them being powered by a Jolida JD-502P amp and they can really fill up a room.

Keep checking out GoodWill stores and Thrift stores, if you have the patience. Scored a pair of old Wharfedale W90-D's for 50 bucks. Look very nice and sound so sweet and warm. Just got a pair of ADS L570's yesterday for 9 dollars....YES, 9 DOLLARS. Nothing wrong with them other than a good cleaning. They look almost new now and for a small speaker, these things can go deep.....I am very impressed. Also ran across a pair of Snell Type Civ's and got them for 100 dollars. Those are in my main system. Amazing speakers. You can keep the new stuff. I'll spend my money on turntables and cd players, and then use a good Emotive amp and pre, and sit back and drool.

If I was looking today based on your description, I would seriously consider the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR

Andrew Jones is a legendary speaker designer, formerly with
KEF and now with Pioneer's luxury brand, TAD Loudspeakers.
He is typically found designing loudspeaker systems in
the 30,000 and up range.

He designed these loudspeakers and they have been reviewed extremely favorably in the audiophile press.

They were designed to sell for 250-300, but Amazon has them for 129.00 and if you'd like to add the subwoofer, it is 129.00 as well. No fancy veneers here, but the drivers are far better than any speaker in the sub 500 range.

I have a pair of these on a very low cost tube integrated in my office system and the sound is truly remarkable. At 129 per pair, it is a miracle that they can sell this kind of sound for so little........

There's an interview on youtube with the designer, look up Andrew Jones Home Theater Geeks and you should find it.

Also many reviews on this series of loudspeakers.

Don't let the brand name fool you. These are the best Pioneer speakers in terms of value that has ever been made and you can do no better south of 500.00 or so....