Budget speaker selection help

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.

I heartily second the Vandersteen recommendation. I feel that you get significantly more music from them than with any of the minis you are currently considering. Besides, once you factor in the cost and space necessary for proper stands, many of the advantages of the smaller speakers disappear.