Budget speaker selection help

I must recommend a pair of old Paradigm Mini Monitor MkIII for the list. It goes for around $200 a pair. It's the best performer/$, IMO.

Ki

How about a pair of Vandersteens ?

My opinion is that the Paradigm Titans are better sounding than the Atoms, and only a few bucks more. The Atoms, while possibly having a flatter frequency response, have very little bass response. (I.e. almost none really).
I prefer the Titans because they have at least "some" bass response, especially at low listening levels.
(Some people have stated that the Titans can sound a little "boomy", but at that level, I would rather have a little more LF response, than none at all. IMHO.)

I would therefore recommend the Titans for a secondary system. (I use them in my bedroom, and they sound pretty good.)

I have not heard the others on your list, but I have read that the Epos are supposedly pretty good.

Good Luck in your search!

I have the Atoms, which I am using for surrounds. Iin spite of very positive press, i think they are a little thin in the midrange and the bottom end is a little "tubby". They are okay for my home theater surrounds, but not for listening to music. I would encourage you to look at the others. Good luck!

I cannot offer you feedback on the noted speakers (although I know the Epos are pretty well regarded), but would suggest you add Phase Tech to your list. They offer great 'bang for the buck', especially on the used market. I own a little pair of PC-40 speakers that I used as 'upstairs' speakers for quite awhile. Even though they were bettered by the Harbeth's that replaced them, they didn't give up THAT much. I've heard a couple of their other speakers which also left favorable impressions on me.