Best small, desktop speakers, $500 or under (new or used)


What small, nearfield (3 feet) desktop speakers do you use or like?
I'm looking to fit out my desk with something good but not expensive.
Music tastes are varied and I don't care about deep bass. I'd rather have good mids, highs.
Spending is capped at $500 max. Open to used, new. Would power these with Adcom separates, 60wpc.
Elac? Ascend? KEF? What would you advise?

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Within your budget I would go for audio engine if you can get a pair of HD6 on the used market for a desktop system it is better to go with Powered Speakers mind you they can be a bit fatiguing But you get very good bass and crisp clear mind & Highs in a small listening  environment you will not need a sub ! You future proof yourself I got mine for $ 575 new so I am sure some on line dealers may offer discount pricing 
don't drive yourself nuts 
its $500  buy the first one that you think looks  ok.  move on ,  All the speakers 
outshine each other in different areas 
It's just that they're so old and perhaps mid-fi that I was thinking that maybe big advances had happened since, well, 1988, and I could easily best these things with even something well under $500.
I think you could trounce them multiple different ways for $100, for instance, with the Dayton Audio MK402BTX.
Someone earlier mentioned powered tannoys. Those are good and come in versions less than 500, and then you could sell your amp and have money left over. There are other great powered options as well. I currently have ATC and Omega monitors but have had many others such as ProAc (which are great), Tannoy etc. One hidden gem is the JVC UX 7000. I just bought another pair for my office. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254608934017

Another great option is the Linn Kan

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184310348338