I would like advice for a beginner.

Also Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 are a terrific value. I found the mids a bit etched for my taste but they are exceptionally transparent and dynamic.
CBM-170.
I like concrete blocks for stands. They are cheap and totally dead. Not the best looking however.
Charlie, you are hearing bright electronics, not speakers. What is this with the bright all the time? And Yamaha, Truth, and Mackie used in pro studios aren't bright? Engineers who work in the business need speakers to be accurate as part of their job. Most audiophile speakers are pretty watered down compared to real pro-monitors.

Cdc,

We certainly disagree on this subject, and I suppose we could debate this another time...

The concrete block stands sound interesting, though.

Take care,

Charlie

After getting the speakers, cables are next - they do reward. 10% of your systems cost to cables sounds reasonable. Get them used. You can get some here on audiogon.

You might like speakercity.com EFE speaker ($330). Nice highs you can listen for a long time. They got some good reviews.

Niles audio outdoor speakers are also nice and soft sounding with a good transparent souding tweeter.

You said you bought the Yamaha coz the salesman told you they were work horses - without being too cynical, next time please take what the audio salesmen say with a grain of salt. They have become experts at selling at our price point.

Yamahas sound pretty good especially for what you payed for them.

I would read Hifichoice.co.uk although even magazines are sometimes biased toward those companies placing ads on them. The advices here are good, and also you can chat alive on audioasylum.com Since you were a music teacher, your ears must be well developed - having heard many alive music. In the end, I would say buy what you like. That sounds so simple, but you will be the one listening to it, so it should please you, despite what other's recommend.

I teach music too - cello and piano. Nice to see someone who has made his vocation avocation, and still loving it. I hope tobe that lucky after I retire.

I too got into this hobby not too long ago. It's tempting to keep upgrading, but I decided to enjoy my system for at least an year before upgrading, coz others have warned me about the constant upgrade bug.

It certainly is an exciting hobby. Reminds me of an artist going to a great length in search of beauty. There is a lot we can learn to tweak our system to sound better. I wouldn't open a unit without knowing safety measures first though!

Have fun... and welcome aboared.

Thank you all for the great advice. I've now listened to B&W 600,601 and 602's, Paradigm Studio 20 and 40's, and PSB Image 2A and 2B's. I like 'em all. I have listened to them in 4 different show rooms with 4 different amp set-ups. From what I have read on this site, it is important for me to get them home an try them. I know some of these low dollar speakers are way below most of your interests, however, this is great fun finding the best bang for my buck to get started. By the way, if I were to choose right now after what I've heard to this point, the PSB's would win hands down.

It's great that you're checking out lots of speakers. I owned a pair of B&W 602's and was impressed when I first bought them, but after a while I was really irritated by the high-end. You should also check out Linn Kans or Tukans. There are a couple for sale here on Audiogon for $300-$360. I've not owned Linn's before, but I've been impressed with them in auditions. Just another option.