Possible Desktop Speakers?

I like the harbeth and ancient audio stuff looks cool. I have some sennheiser hd700s. Problem with headphones is they give me a headache really quick. ��

Lowrider57 - I would say max 5k for 2 speakers (my wife might strangle me if I go higher and I like breathing). They will be sitting on a desk next to my monitor (its a big L shape desk). I cant really go with floor standing because space is a premium for me and my wife wouldn't like speakers just sitting on the floor in front of my desk. I did plan on getting a sub woofer but my decent i choice didn't seem to go well with the Magnepans and I fear I wouldn't know which one to go with (I would like the sub to stay in the decent I price range).

Hello everyone I wanted to thank everyone for their input thus far.

Doggiehowser I appreciate the recommendations. I will take a peak at them.

GSM18439 Thanks for the recommendation.

Al - Good question. For the most part I will be listening to them while someone else is watching tv (wife or kid). I could see myself hearing a good song or whatnot and spinning the speakers to share.

So... after a bunch of research I am really thinking the Anthony Gallo strada speakers might be the way to go. I know Al may give me noogies for asking(given the price difference). Would these work well with the audio research ref 150 amp and audio research 5se preamp? Or is there a reason it would not work well with the speakers I mentioned? Anyone know of a better match. I am also thinking of getting the mapleshade wood base. Anyone have any experience with them? Thanks again for all the feedback and help.

Doggiehowser - yeah thinking mapleshade stands and I may do 1 woofer.

al- yeah I'm a goober and just thought separate amp and pre would be better performance wise. I also thought the arc 150 was the max wattage which I believe was the max on the speakers. I guess you don't match speakers and amps that way.

onhwy61 - yeah I'm kind of shooting in the dark even after lots of reading. I have space under my desk to sit the amps and 1 sub. Floor standing would sit in front of my desk and would annoy my wife that's why I really am avoiding them.

Forgot to mention that I appreciate the feedback thus far!

Oh one more thing max budget is 25k hope that helps.

Its an l shaped desk with a wall behind me and to my right. The part where I sit is facing towards the room with nothing in front of it. The tv is too my left. So I face the family when they are watching.

Al- thanks for the recommendation will take a peek when I get some time.

Lowrider57 - thanks for the info!

donjr - don't worry I will defiantly go to a hifi shop. I am doing some ground work to know what to ask for. Otherwise I might hear something buy it and it just doesn't work well with my room or as the beginning of my mini Maggie thread pointed out complete overkill on parts. Thanks for your feedback.