Speakers for daughter

Saying Jazz and Classical need less base is stupid !

All rock needs is noise , real music needs real sound .

If she has room for them, I would choose the Wharfedale 12.2 over the 12.1. She'll end up with better bass and they can potentially play a bit louder or play with more dynamics.  I use them in my den powered by a Denon A/V Receiver, and they do just fine.  I do use them for both music and movies paired with a small subwoofer, but in a small room a sub might be optional (at least for a good while). 

They represent a good sound for a small price. I found mine at Crutchfield for a "deal" before they increased in price. 

The 12.2 aren't THAT much larger is physical size than the 12.1.  Good luck whatever you choose to get her started on her journey. 

I would let your daughter hear the different speaker choices herself.  The main reason is that women in general, especially a younger one, can hear a lot higher frequencies that her dad!  Do the youtube high frequency sound tests, and you will be surprised how much of a higher frequency range your daughter will be able to detect over you.  So a speaker that sounds great to you, with lots of high frequency detail, may in fact hurt her ears.  I’ve experienced this hearing discrepancy with my wife whenever we auditioned speakers.  What sounded clear and airy to me would sometimes hurt her ears.  Consequently, I had to buy speakers that she could tolerate in the upper registers.  Hope this helps your search!

I agree with several of the thoughts expressed. The visual appearance could be a lot more important than we men may think it is. I also agree with her being able to hear the speakers if at all possible. Young people do have different/better hearing.

The other folks, selling other speakers, can beat up on Elac. I have seen and heard what Andrew Jones has designed on HUGE budgets and on very, very inexpensive budgets. When I first heard the F5s many years ago at $560 a pair I was floored by the sound. 

Two years ago I bought the entire F5.2 set, Fs, Bs, and a center for my small TV-only room. with an old REL Storm III sub the sound is great. I've also run both sets of Elac speakers in my audio room for fun and they performed very well.

KEF Q350 - 499$ on sale at Crutch…* w/ free shipping through this month - hard to beat uni-q point source driver if you have less than optimum room placement options.  It’s a little above your budgeted price but worth listening to.