Speakers help for a newb...

Kxshook...you mention that all you have is the Rotel RSX 1056 receiver. Does this mean you have no source (CD, DVD, DAC, turntable, etc...)? You will obviously need something to play music on :-) so make sure you budget some funds for that if that is indeed the case. As for your speaker question, I would give the Aperion Intimus 5T ($990/pr) and 6T ($1,390/pr) some consideration. Prices listed are for new so you should be able to get them used for under a $1000, although I do not see them on Agon at the moment. Also, Aperion has 30-day free in-home trial with free shipping both ways, so you can audition them in your system at home. The 6Ts were favorably reviewed (and won a bunch of awards) in Stereophile, Soundstage, Enjoythe Music.com and Playback magazines (online zine associated with The Absolute Sound magazine) and numerous other Home Theater publications. While I have not heard them, the accolades at least merit a looksie. Here are some of the reviews:
http://www.soundstage.com/equipment/aperion_intimus_6t.htm
http://stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/aperion_audio_intimus_6t_loudspeaker/
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1008/aperion_audio_6t.htm
http://hometheaterreview.com/aperion-audio-intimus-6t-tower-speaker-reviewed/
Happy shopping and good luck.

You mentioned that you were interested in a pair of speakers, yet your receiver is a multi-channel home theater receiver. I will assume that you purchased the receiver with the intent of utilizing the multi-channel capabilities most likely for watching movies.

For best performance, it is important that your front speakers (left, center and right) are matched. The dialog blends better when the front three are matched. Also, movies these days are loaded with bass so the consideration of a sub woofer is prudent.

Now then, is your $1000 budget for all speakers, just the front three, or only the left and right mains?

My personal preference for speakers is towers. I don't think I've heard any of the speakers that have been recommended already, but they all are highly regarded on this forum. I’ve owned a pair of PSB T45s and loved them. For the money, I think they are quite good. You could purchase the T45s and matching center C40 new, Blue Jeans cables and interconnects and still have money left over to put toward a sub or the DVD player.

I would suggest a pair of PSB T65 new for $799. You can also buy matching smaller speakers for surround sound later on if you wish. If you need a source how about a
Oppo 980H for $169. It plays CD,DVD,SA Audio and DVD-A can do a search and find out more.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ddspkrfull&1260150998

Just a note here... or two.

Some here feel quite strongly about how to go about setting up a system As was said previously, speaks first then find an amp... obviously such is not your case here... but that won't halt those who feel strongly about those things... their thoughts carry some weight, yet aren't always congruent to the circumstances at hand.

No matter. There is more than one way to peel a banana so just log that for future use perhaps. Same thing for the room size.

We all started somewhere and likely things weren't optimum then, and many aren't now as optimized as they might wish.

So we do what we can and when we can with what we have to do it all with. Front to back, Back to front, Or from the inside out. Doesn't matter one wit which way you go... so long as you get into it.

if monitors (bookshelf) you'll need stands to do them justice. Floorstanders will take up just as much sq ft as mons on stands. Hmmm.

If you're looking ahead, and wanting to go multi ch, getting a pair of floorstanding speakers first isn't a terrible thought... just see if a center ch is made which will match the towers, so you can get it later on, eg., same brand probably at least. Same voiced center model is better.

tons of good choices here already. Silverline SR15s posted here now are fine units for either music or HT... they will need stands though. A sub too will help. I have a pair myself.

My last bit is stay as current as possible or within your limits, and give some creedence to their sensitivity and minimum impedance numbers. For your current issue (s) 89db & up, with imp ratings of 6 or higher will sure help with what you are using now, and make things a bit easier later on if an amp is added or outright wholesale changes are then made, you won't have to be looking about for high wattage amps only.

Check out some of the magazines buyers guides, make a few stops about your area and listen to a few models.

The thing about anything here... CDP, amps, speakers, etc. is that they are such subjective items. They'll sound different to two people standing side by each to one another in the exact same room! You've gotta pull the trigger and all we can do is point to what we dig now or have enjoyed previously using our gear and our ears. Which actually may... and or not, suit you.

...and remember, in building a rig... EVERYTHING MATTERS!

TOTEM, PHASE TECH, SILVERLINE, NHT, MIRAGE, JBL, ATI, TANOY, TYLER, there's just tons. Good luck.

Paradigm S2 (v1)...monitor - needs good stands. I've seen several pairs recently that have been offered within your budget.

Stereophile Class A monitor (find reviews online)
Stunning finishes (high WAF)
Easy to drive (better w/ SS amps)
Just the right speaker for a 15x15 room

Good luck! ...and welcome to A'gon!