Speakers below 800

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/

Fell in LOVE with Kirkstaeter (sp?) speakers at CES. The Silverline 50 is one of the best monitors I have EVER heard. Period. The sound from break-in to broken-in is immense, though. Amazing sound. Cheers! Retail for 700.

If you like the Kirksaeter speakers, Sound Images in Falls Church, VA (near 7 Corners on Rt. 50) has that line, plus Gallo's and Conrad Johnson electronics. Also other stuff! I forgot to mention them in my previous post about our local audio/HT dealers.

Coincident Speaker Tech. Triumph Sigs. are about as good as it gets for the $. A used pair should run about $600-$800 and perhaps the seller might include stands for about $100 more? High sensativity, stable impedence and a high level of fit and finish. Silk dome tweeter also keeps sibilence at bay . When you save up a few more bucks you can add a sub for A/V use only. The Coincidents run about $1200 new but you can find used pairs from time to time. Well worth the trouble.