List of bookshelf speakers under $350/pair Please add suggestions.

I am trying to find a pair of speakers. This is obviosly a very fun project and also complex. The situation is my system is totally disasembled and about 2000 miles away from me at the moment. I am going back to school for my Masters in Architecture this summer. My 5.1 setup is not coming with me except for the subwoofer possibly. I would like to leave the sub behind preferably. I also don't think that the TV and its posse will be coming initially anyway, so the speakers should be used primarily/nearly exclusively for music. I would like to find a pair of bookshelf speakers to use with the 1070. I don't have nearly the funds I want as all of my money is going towards tuition. The most I can spend is $350 and that is pushing it.

I would like to get input from all you Outlaws as to Makes and Models that I can investigate further.
Ideally this could be a list of below $350 bookshelf speakers.
I plan on listening to the speakers prior to purchase if I can find a local dealer or do an in home audition but I need to start somewhere.

I realize this might not be the target range of most Outlaws for a pair of main speakers but the list could be useful for people,

going back to school
shopping for a girlfriends mother
for some very lucky kids
just looking to go beyond the big box outlets

If anyone has input on any of the speakers listed, please share. I am particularly interested if any that are posted stand out as a significant value. Putting GO before SHOW.

Here is what people have found... Updated 3/21/07

Paradigm Atom $200/pair???

Paradigm Titan ???

B&W DM303 $300.00

Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 $319.95/pair

Polk RTi4 $319.95

EPOS ELS 3 $329/pair

Axiom M3 v2 $330/pair

Ascend Acousitcs CBM-170 SE $348/pair

Polk Monitor 40 $349.95

NHT Absolute Zero $399/pair

I have the Axioms and love them!

Do you have a 7.1 setup with the M3ti as rear surrounds? I'm guessing those are closest to the M3 v2. Have you ever heard the axiom bookshelf speakers setup in stereo?

Polk Monitor 40 $349.95

Polk RTi4 $319.95

B&W DM303 $300.00

The Wharfedales Diamonds are a classic. Can't go wrong there. Off the beaten path, the Epos ELS-3s are supposed to be great for the money: http://www.needledoctor.com/EPOS-Speakers-ELS-3-Mini-Monitor;jsessionid=ac112b801f43a85d3ea48f1a4a7ca987b4435da3399e.e3eTaxiPc3mTe34NaheQc34Sahb0?sc=7&category=899.

I am running 5.1 currently using a pair of M3s as dual centers in an over/under system.

Before I set them up as centers, I A/B'd them with Axioms M80s. I love their sound more than the VP series centers.

My surrounds are Qs8s.

My speakers are all V2s but don't have the V2 stickers. No changes have been made since I bought my speakers.

Nht Classic Absolute Zero's

Paradigm Atoms (I think they're in the "Monitor" series now)

Thanks for the suggestions. I have added your ideas to the list in the first post.

Does anyone know if Paradigm has online retailers? I know of one dealer Michigan but I am in Florida now.

I don't believe you'll find an authorized dealer offering Paradigm products online. They're definitely "un-Outlaw" in their sales model, with a traditional dealer network.

They are pretty clear on their website that their products are not offered via 'mail order', which covers most online retailers. When you search for a dealer on their site, you only get brick and mortar stores.

If no one else here has different info, I'd suggest giving them a call and asking...

Thanks. I will just have to wait until I get to Grand Haven, MI again. There is a dealer there.

Palmer's right about Paradigm - they only go through dealers. The local Memphis dealer closed recently and they don't appear to have found a new distributor in our area yet.

If you have any interest in any NHT's. I would check out J&R online. I think they now show call for best price but I got Absolute Zero's for $129 ea. with free shipping.

if you want to look at something else than a square box.... these might be of interest...you can purchase them one at a time...
their specs say it all...altough a sub (in my opinion) is a must...but it can come later down the road...
you might also consider their little brothers...just scroll down here
These tweeters are simply...incredible...

I just picked up a set or the Ascend Acoustics 340SE's and they are very nice, very neutral. The feedback on the Ascend forum is while they are a step up from the 170SE's the 170's are extremely nice, especially for the price.