Best small, desktop speakers, $500 or under (new or used)

The one question raised for me about speakers like the ELAC B 6.2 is whether they'd be much of an improvement over my old Pinnacle PN5+. Indeed, reading about them makes me wonder whether I've been wasting everyone's time here -- don't flame me for saying that! 
http://www.audioreview.com/product/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/pinnacle/pn5.html

It's just that they're so old and perhaps mid-fi that I was thinking that maybe big advances had happened since, well, 1988, and I could easily best these things with even something well under $500.

However, if you were to say to me -- "Dude, you've got no reason to be unhappy with those speakers" -- I would slink away and just move on! So...anyone care to shame me? I can take it!

Vanatoo has “B” stock for $319, I believe shipping is free, just add state tax.

That’s on the Zero.

@aburn -- thanks a lot! 

I do have to say, I am getting pretty exhausted with marketing hype. From the Vanatoo copy for $359 dollar desk speakers:

"The speakers reproduce music exactly the way it was recorded, with solid bass, clear midrange, and sparkling highs."

FFS.

Within your budget I would go for audio engine if you can get a pair of HD6 on the used market for a desktop system it is better to go with Powered Speakers mind you they can be a bit fatiguing But you get very good bass and crisp clear mind & Highs in a small listening  environment you will not need a sub ! You future proof yourself I got mine for $ 575 new so I am sure some on line dealers may offer discount pricing