Bookshelf speakers for $500ish

I would also wonder if a 35-40 year old receiver will bring out the best of the Totems even if it has enough power...my experience with equipment that age, even with all the dried out caps replaced, is no

I would be very cautious to spend that much money on a pair of speakers that will be placed 2-3 inches from the wall. Speakers, specially bookshelf, are extremely susceptible to placement.

Your Marantz is a somewhat decent receiver with a power output of 38 wpc into 8 ohms. Not the last word in resolution and/or power.

$1000.00 speakers may or may not improve sound quality depending on MANY factors. If you ask me, it's a waste of money. For that amount you could buy both, a better amp and speaker combo.

Price will NEVER dictate sound quality. Totem Dreamcatchers ($500.00) for example will blow your mind with classical music; Supreme Pluses ($600) will rock your small room with great satisfaction. Active monitors may be all you need.

Who knows, you may be more than satisfied with the amazing Pioneer SP-BS22-LR ($129.00) in your setting and look no further.

Trust your ears and not your budget.

No recommendations, but go with modern wave guide designs. They are just so much more dynamic and less demanding of components.

Agreed...doubling your budget to 1k for speakers will not fix room issues...although better speakers could be placed in a different environment down the road...still like the Focal 806 @ music direct $599...heard this at a dealer against some stiff competition... Fits your musical tastes