Considering the Rule of Diminishing Returns.......

Like everyone else I would suggest Paradigm but also even on here there are some VMPS being sold for 3500 $..RM40..I would not miss that opportunity..great deal...if you can find a second-hand RM40 then don't miss it..

An optimal compromise that might save you a good amount of money are the relatively new Energy C-9 towers. They go down to the low 30s, which will serve you well for HT even if you don't have a sub, yet they are refined enough to compete with much more expensive speakers on the audio side in case that bug ever bites. At $1300/pr. they will be tough to beat given your situation and preferences. My guess is they offer a matching center channel, but I'm not sure. Best of luck.

Tim

Energy C-9 speakers are indeed an excellent value - good call Tim! BUT, if you really dig the Aerial sound, think about a pair of Aerial Model 5 speakers (will you be using/do you already have a sub?) with a Vandersteen 2W sub. Very close to the 95% performance/50% price parameters that you have set. Happy hunting!

Check out the PSB Stratus Goldi speakers (approx $2,500 US$). They are a three-way tower featuring 10", 6" and 1" drive units. These speakers are accurate, musical and of very high power handling. Bass extension is impressive, staging and realism are really very good.
Strangely, they work very well with good (higher-power)A/V receiver's and surprisingly, shockingly better with very high resolution/higher-end seperates. They ARE NOT room/placement fussy (although placement further from room boundaries results in cleaner bass), are very well built/constructed. A perfect speaker for HT as well as 2-CH stereo.
Give em a listen, I have not heard anyone who did not really like them!

peter jasz

I'm going to assume that you've listened to a lot of speakers and have decided on the Aerials because you really like the sound, and your only indecision is the $$$. I don't own Aerials, but I'm going to encourage you to buy what you love, and if that's the Aerials, go for them. Keep them for 10+ years and you'll never regret it. Aerial makes a great product, and while it's a lot of money, over more than a decade, it's not a lot of money. And, with speakers that nice, my guess is that you'll start listening to a lot more music. You're visiting Audiogon, so presumably buying used is a possibility - I'd certainly suggest it. You'll save a lot, and if you decide you screwed up, you can get most of your money back. Some other really good options, IMO - a pair of Dynaudio Contour 1.8's with the matching center can easily be had for <$3K used, maybe even $2500 if you shop hard. Dynamite sound (I am a Dynaudio owner/lover). And, if you're really convinced that HT will remain 80% of the use, I highly recommend NHT - they make a really good dual-purpose speaker, they're high value, you can easily find them used or heavily discounted new. -Kirk