Speaker recommendations for 2,500 or less?

This depends so much on your room size and musical tastes. New or used? For a smaller room, monitors work well & you can mate them with a sub later if you want. Look at the Soliloquy models @ www.solspeak.com--the 5.0 monitor is a great bargain and sounds great, Audio Concepts Jaguar of Sapphire LE III at www.audioc.com for starters. Both offer great sound and good value for the money. You'll find more of the Soliloquy models for sale used on A'gon though.

The Taylo monitors which are frequently auctioned on A'gon would fit the bill for detail and bass response. Add a sub like the ACI Titan II and you'd have a system that would rock with all types of music.