@jeffbij
+1
Speakers first. Audion extensively. Find speakers that you emotionally connect with. Spend a bit more on these than on other components. Then, once you have the speakers you want to optimize the electronics to give them the kind of signal they need.
I recommend dynamic box speakers... not anything exotic... why, best sound for the money... least finicky. With your budget you don’t want something difficult to power that makes other costs to increase, or only works with special amps.
Go listen, dealers, find local high end audio friends. Don’t be afraid to listen to very expensive systems to find your sound. Once you identify "the sound" you will be able to assemble a system that sound like that with just a little less detail and bass... on a day to day basis, it will not be that obvious. Put in the work and you can get assemble a tremendous system for the budget. But you have to know what you want.