I'd probably go for the Stratus Silvers or Stratus Gold if you could find those
in your price range.
However, if you can find a pair of Mirage M5si's at $400-700/pair, get 'em!
I have a pair of brand new Magneplanar 1.7s anchoring my 2-channel
analog-sourced living room system, but in the family room, I still have a pair
of 1996 Mirage M5si's anchoring my HT system. And you know what? Those
Mirages would still aquit themselves in a 2-channel music-only system. I
don't sense any loss in musical truth when I go downstairs to hear the
Mirages.
These Mirages have a smooth treble, lifelike transparent midrange, and fast,
tight bass that extends down to the mid-20s. True, the Magneplanars are a
bit faster and more transparent, but really, the Mirages come surprisingly
close while having a broader dynamic range, another octave of bass
extension, and energize a wide range of room sizes with authority.
The Mirages will reward you with better cabling, amplification, placement,
spiking, etc. But they are also very durable. Mine are almost 19 years old
and have had no service done on them. The mid/woofers have cast baskets
and butyl rubber surrounds. The tweeters are cloth-damped titanium domes.
In 19 years and daily use I have not found anything to not like about them. If
you can find a pair, get 'em!
