I get where you're coming from better now . I know how it goes when you have to explain your budget, then that budget gets stretched

You are right on about the speaker industry. They now call us "old school " for liking a "regular" full faced speaker. These skinny and deep speakers ..... I'll never get used to them . There are still a some of the full face makers left , but no many. One site I saw recently was a small builder called Human Speakers http://www.humanspeakers.com/human/index.html, he makes speakers and sells kits for them too. Buy or make you own cabinet . He used to work for Epicure/Genesis , so if that rings a bell you can call yourself "old school" . LOL His stuff costs more than your budget, but I'm just sharing it to show there are some such craftsmen left. He sells some refurbished old EPI models too http://www.humanspeakers.com/specials.htm. Check out the EPI 201,the specs are the original, not updated . Now they have his new drivers in them which are much better. I bet it rocks with two 8" woofers.

Another cool idea (to me, at least), is a speaker call the Silent Speaker http://www.directacoustics.com/home.htm
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue26/direct_acoustics.htm
If I was ever to consider another speaker, I'd give these a try because I like non-traditional designs like these. Read the review , it sounds great ...... but who knows until you get them home. Don't let the odd specs fool you though. I think the guy runs a one man operation . This may not be for you either, but it is something I've come across that someone may be interested in . There's more to speakers than just a box and a set drivers ! Soundstage .... imaging .... etc . There is nothing like a speaker with no specific sweet spot .... it's everywhere. It reminds me of how much I like the recordings from the 50's 60's and 70's , when they actually had different instruments in separate channels.... it was like being in the studio . Another lost art .

Happy hunting for whatever you choose though. Yep, patience usually always pays off . Glad you got rid of the poor sub and choosing something else.