I need some suggestions for some new speakers...

You mentioned you favor bass...Vandersteen model 1 would be a nice entry level speaker into the "hi-end"...they are about 1k new with stands....and a sub is more optional than necessary...they are also a time/phase design...which means they image very well...by no means a "party" speaker...but one that is very musical...good luck...

Used Thiel cs1.5 for $800 + used $400 subwoofer. Killer for a small room and decent upstream components. Will not sound good with poor source electronics.

Hello Jpbaskin,

If you don't mind a "vintage" speaker, consider the Snell Type A. Superb imaging, and superb bottom end. There's a pair for sale here:

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1075590669

The asking price is well below your budget, but you'd probably have to spend a fair amount on shipping, which would put you back up near your budget.

Best of luck in your quest,

Duke

I am thinking of getting one since they got good reveiws. In what ways are you not satisfied with them?

Nice mid-fi system you built - you shopped wisely. Should sound pretty good.

You might want to add a sub. I upgrade my speakers many times searching for this mysterious sonic heaven. I found it in a Sony $95 sub SA-WM200 (with a small 5 inch woofer settelite bookshelves).

3 system gives you clarity in the mid and high, due to the bass eminating from a distance. I prefer it to a 3 way (2 way crossover sounds better than 3 way - phase shift). With a sub, you can have a 2way and a full sound.

I was listening to a setup like this with Athena speakers ($170 per pair) hooked upto a modest sony cd and a yamaha receiver - less than a 1k system! And I was mesmerised... This is what I had been searching for. Had me dancing on for hours on my feet.

Hope this helps,

Greetings JP!
The best bass panels I ever heard in my life were from the magnepan tympanis!..with a hi current amp and proper positioning,...extremely hi res and enough impact to amost "blow out" your windows. I own and use Thiel 3.5,s and I love them!
Rol