Gone are the days of the great audition.

1) Buy used, do not overpay, audition in-home, keep or sell as needed and try the next thing

2) Buy direct from vendors that provide a generous in-home audition period and return policy

3) listen to as many systems as you can at dealers or shows and attend a lot of live music performances for reference. I go out of my way as much as I can to still buy from and support the availble local vendors when I can but do not limit myself to only what I can hear there.

While brick and mortar retailing has shrunk, an increasing number of regional audio shows is taking up some of the slack. Try Capital Audiofest in Maryland in July or The New York Audio show in April.

If you are unsure buy used and you can resell at no loss.

I bought a pair of thiel 2.4s off of audiogon unheard and they match the user reviews and I was pretty pleased. I would not trust the major publications. I have bought speakers unheard based of the reviews and was very dissapointed.... The review flat out lied. I don't even read the reviews anymore but lets not get into that.

I think the key is know what you like and having a popular speakers to use as reference (IE, better/worse that you reference). If you compare all speakers back to the same reference it gets easier. I like to use Wilson Sophia's not because they are the best but because many people have heard them.

The vandersteen recommendation is a good one. You maybe able to get a pair of Usher Mini 2s, thiel 2.4s or magnepan 1.7s around your price range used. They would also be good buys.

I used Mapmans (number one) suggestion for all my gear except for speakers. I would be hesitant to buy (used) speakers that need to be shipped. Big time chances of shipping damage unless strapped to a pallet and freight used instead of ground. IMO, not worth the risk.