Best speakers for $500 or less

Somebody who's considering Bose is an unlikely candidate for buying used. Among new speakers, I'd start with Paradigm and PSB. They might not be everyone's favorites, but they're doing low-end speakers about as well as anyone, and they're pretty widely distributed--though almost exclusively through small shops. If your friend is put off by the high-end boutiques (as many people are), at least get him to consider Polks, which are a competently made mass-market alternative.

Bomarc, you make a good point and I agree with your suggestions.

Used JM Reynaud Twins

Castle richmonds new or used...

KEF Q1

I had a pair of these monitors, and i was really impressed.
They retail new for about 450 a pair, they come in some very attractive veneers, and they have some pretty wicked sound.

They are on to something with thier UNI-Q drivers. Excellent imaging, and impressive low end response from a monitor.

These are also relativll easy to find.

If you have a SoundTrack Audio, Audio King, or Ulitmate Electronics anywhere in your area, you can pick up a pair there.

I dont know if anyone has seen those places, but i love em. Big big store with Huge huge selection, alot of thier stff us Mid-fi, but they also carry the top of the line products from Infinity, KEF, Denon, Klipsch, Sunfire, Krell, Martin Logan, Definitive Technologys, and plenty others.

Of course, it has that supermarket feel, but thier sound rooms are not all that bad.