For OP,
I have Wavetouch Grand Teton (GT) speakers. GT speaker is well in your budget. GT are small stand mount speakers which your wife likes! Its very loud at 94db and really musical that you dont need a separate 2ch set up. A pair of GT speakers were too loud in a big hall (22 x 35x 15h) without a sub.
I am using GT speakers for front LCR and small cheap no name speakers for 2 rears. I have a Marantz SR8500, OPPO BDP-95, Wavetouch GT speakers, Velodyne CT-120. I am very happy with HT and 2 ch. Sound. I sold all my hi-end gears. I dont look back and no plan to upgrade. The receiver and GT speaker sound better than any hi-end set up I had for last 20 years. I dont turn off music. I just lower the volume at night. No family member has complained last 3 weeks.
I have Wavetouch Grand Teton (GT) speakers. GT speaker is well in your budget. GT are small stand mount speakers which your wife likes! Its very loud at 94db and really musical that you dont need a separate 2ch set up. A pair of GT speakers were too loud in a big hall (22 x 35x 15h) without a sub.
I am using GT speakers for front LCR and small cheap no name speakers for 2 rears. I have a Marantz SR8500, OPPO BDP-95, Wavetouch GT speakers, Velodyne CT-120. I am very happy with HT and 2 ch. Sound. I sold all my hi-end gears. I dont look back and no plan to upgrade. The receiver and GT speaker sound better than any hi-end set up I had for last 20 years. I dont turn off music. I just lower the volume at night. No family member has complained last 3 weeks.