Bookshelf speakers for $500ish

i've had the DYNACOS and had/have the REGA R1s (now the RS1s) in a prior B system/current surrounds in my HT kit

The REGA bookshelves smoked the DYNACOs .... full stop IMO.

http://www.stereotimes.com/speak121305.shtml

The Rega R1 Loudspeaker - A New Budget Reference
December 2005

"....Immediate impressions are a clear and transparent portrayal with very high detail retrieval, fast and controlled transient response, and superb musical timing, both in articulating rhythms and tempi, and in placing instruments within the temporal flow and context of the performance. The RR125 is an outstanding mid/bass driver, sonically and musically right in line with the midrange performance of Rega’s amplifiers and phono cartridges. Get the midrange right and everything else will fall into place. Get it wrong, and all the king’s horses…

The Rega R1 becomes my new budget reference speaker. In addition of its ability to get the fundamentals of music right, it adds clarity and resolution, and an ability to lay out a vivid and coherent 3-dimensional stereo image. In small room applications, what more could you want?..."

Akg ca, I to owned A-25's for years and your post is spot on !
Kiko65 is also right about the silverlines being a decent choice as well.

I should have mentioned two other bookshelf speakers in my previous post: the Snell "J", and the Krix Equinox. I had very good experiences with both of these models, and as used units they are well within your budget. Good auditioning to you!

For all those recommending rear ported speakers for a person who is going to back them against the wall, have you heard the speakers you are recommending in that position? I'm an owner and a huge fan of the Silverline Minuets, but if someone came to me for a recommendation telling me that they were going to postion them inches from the wall, it wouldn't be a speaker I'd recommend. I've tried it and didn't like it.

I'd hate the OP to end up with something that doesn't sound optimal.

I used the Zensor 1 very close to the wall, with very good results...