Speakers for newbie

Bob, I appreciate the information. Personally, I'm a bang for the buck type of guy and have found that amplification is one of those areas where you can find some really good deals on oldish equipment.

Hi guys,
we got the keys yesterday and moving in on Thursday :).

As of the room: Its 18' x 24'. So I will be about 12 feet away from the front speakers.

So i went to Magnolia and listened to couple what they had Martin Logan Motion 40, they were okay. From the B&W selection I like the CM9’s the best (but they are $1500 per speaker).

Also I went to another shop and listened to KEF Q700, they sounded pretty good ( there is a pair being sold on audiogon web site, 40 miles away from me). So then I asked to listen to KEF R700 and they sounded 10 times better then Q700 :/. I also listend to R series that was bookshelf and did not like it at all. I liked better the B&W bookshelf. I think sound was more richer.

I am reading a lot of good things about Tekton M-Lores and Lores (that are in my price range) and I am thinking about to pull the trigger on Lores. Do you think size of my room is adequate?

Or should I go and listen to some more speakers?

With a room that size...you are going to need a sub with monitors...as they can get "lost" in large rooms...or an 8" driver or more floorstander...different opinions abound on which is better...since bass is often the Achilles heal of tower speakers...those opt for a sub...however...towers don't need stands (an often overlooked hidden cost)... and perform their best in larger rooms...a pair of older PSB golds would be very nice...and well under budget...

Something like this?
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-psb-image-t6-great-bass-soundstage-2013-06-09-speakers-94566-pleasanton-ca