best low priced bookshelf speakers

The ELAC speakers are an excellent recommendation.  Also, if you can still find a pair of the Andrew Jones designed Pioneer bookshelves.

The Klipsch R-51M are sweet also.  Never been a Klipsch fan, but these are pretty decent.  Usually on sale for around $200.00.

https://www.klipsch.com/products/r-51m-bookshelf-speaker?gclid=Cj0KCQiAyKrxBRDHARIsAKCzn8xA7_x_WID9nbZGOkdWKSJBrl3zJq7RsUezLK8fAFCf6hrOKnSUoRoaAqRbEALw_wcB

Both got very good reviews.

Yeah the r51's are great to...although they need a sub..

Take one NHT original A450 Superzero (approx. $80 used) and add a new JLAudio e-110 subwoofer (Approx. $1,600). Use the active Linkwitz-Reilly crossover in the sub to dial in the SZ's. So what if the sub is slightly more expensive. The original NHT Superone with JLAudio is also a killer with e-110.

I've got some Pinnacle PN5+ speakers from the 1980s. I'm getting new speakers, soon, to replace these little guys, but they really sound great. I paired them with a sub and...even better. They're quite compact, too. FWIW: http://www.hifi-classic.net/review/pinnacle-pn5-plus--452.html