Speakers below 800

I just listened to paradigm speakers for 775 retail. They were excellent. Great imaging and totally disappeared. I forgot the model but if you check Paradigm it's probably the only speaker in the price range that I am suggesting. Bang for the buck!

Maybe this isn't exactly "kosher," but you can visit several of our local dealers to audition speakers that you can then find used/demo on this site. I live in the DC area also, and from my own travels I can tell you you can listen to Vandersteens (and many, many other brands) at Soundworks in Kensington, MD; to PSB and Dynaudio (and many other brands) at JS Audio in Bethesda, MD; to Thiels, Linns, and Vienna Acoustics at Gifted Listener Audio in Centreville, VA (some of these brands have affordable models even if bought new from the dealer); to Soliloquy's and Spendor's at Deja Vu Audio in McLean, VA, and to B&W's of all sizes and prices at Myer-Emco (located at multiple locations in Northern VA and MD suburbs). Some of the speakers you may audition at one of these shops are going to be within or near your price range, so you will have the option of buying them brand new from reliable dealers who are also nice guys. Other speakers are going to be way outside your price range, and you will lust for them for a year or so until you spot them used/demo on this site and can't resist. Just try to return to the dealer for cables or stands or something! Also, most of the dealers I mentioned have their own used/demo sections where you can find some great deals. I know I have.

Not totally familiar with market in this range but thought I would throw in w/ a couple of above posts. I heard a pair of PSB Stratus Bronze speakers which are for sale on this site $730 as blems which were excellent for the $$$$. Also remember seeing the PSB silver as low as $900. Listen a little, your ears, good secondary market here.
Good luck.

Get a pair of used klipsch heresys. They run about $500 used and they are great for both applications. They are 96db effecient so you can run them on a whopping 3 watts. The don't have great bass but if they have decent bass and you can supplement it with a sub later.

Go up to Baltimore (Timonium actually) to Gramophone. They have multiple HT rooms for each price point up the line. And I mean HT rooms. They are set up with sofas, etc just like you would have in your house. They have regular listening rooms also. Their web site is http://www.gramophone.com/

Also in Baltimore is Soundscape. A small place, but the staff is friendly and know their stuff. Web site is: http://www.soundscapeaudiovideo.com/

Soundworks in Kensington is one of the best places near DC (if not the best). They are worth the trip. They have a lot of listening rooms at all price points.

Myer-Emco is DC's B&W dealer if that is what you're looking for. (Gramophone and Soundscape are also). http://www.myer-emco.com/