Recommend speakers

You may want to give the Axiom speakers a try(www.axiomaudio.com I think). Said to have very good midrange and detailed but not overly bright highs, and something like their M60? floorstanders should yield decent dynamics while still meeting your price target. See reviews on Soundstage, etc.

If you're open to monitors the Soliloquy 5.0 yields respectable dynamics for a stand mounted speaker, has a very smooth and full midrange, detailed and airy yet refined highs, and will throw off a huge 3D soundstage while completely disappearing in the room. If you've got a dealer nearby they're worth a listen and they look fantastic too. Should work great with the Stratos too. See www.solspeak.com. Best of luck.

Tim

I would say give PSB Bronze/Silver a look. I've noticed
quite a few ads at quite reasonable prices. Vandersteens/
ProAc would also merit consideration. Buying pre-owned should save you quite a bit and if you were to decide to
resale, you shouldn't be out too much. Bill

I'll second the Axioms. They are amazing and with so little hype. I've purchased for friends (and held onto for a short time) the M3Tis and they are wonderful. Took awhile to get used to the thought of metal drivers but they really do their thing. The model up is supposedly smoother. I purchase from audioshop.on.ca because they have offered better prices. Talk to Mark and get the black because the Boston cherry is Beavis ugly.

Vandersteen 1C's or the 2CE's would be a great match

I just picked up a pair of Triangle Titus speakers for a graduation present for my brother. While the Titus speakers are small monitors below your price range ($500), they also do some others closer to your range--e.g., the $1200 Zerius. I was pretty amazed at the sound, very fast, very transparent, and very musical. You might want to get an audition of those. Requisite disclosure, I'm *not* a dealer. To the extent my own speakers bias/calibrate my taste, I own ProAc RS2s for my home office and Martin Logan Prodigy speakers in my main setup. I'll recommend the speakers I've heard from both those companies as well, but I thought the Triangles offered considerable bang for the buck.