Speakers for newbie

At your budget level, I would recommend the PSB Image or Imagine line of speakers. You can get the Image T6 for about your budget price new and it is an exceptional speaker for the price, very close to their Synchrony line. they also make other floorstanding and bookshelf speakers and work well for both music and HT. Paradigm is another good brand offering great bang for the buck.

Thx Guys,
regarding the PSB Image T6 - the nominal impedance is 6 ohms, minimum 4. Marantz output is 8.

This is from the manual:
FRONT A
6 – 8 Ω
FRONT B
FRONT A + FRONT B 8 Ω
CENTER
SURROUND 6 – 8 Ω
SURR. BACK / AMP ASSIGN

@Seditious3 - do you have any recommendations?

Get vintage Klipsch Heresy. In good condition they're arround $500.

Look at Tekton Designs. Thy have lots of good models in your price range!!!