Used vs New vs Vintage vs Floorstanding vs Bookshelf vs ..... OMG!

The advice about not locking yourself into a difficult speaker to drive is really important.  Thiels are great if you can get them second hand, but you need a LOT of reserve power to make them sound good.

My other advice is to spend time with the speakers you audition. Try to imagine listening to them every night.  Many times the sound attributes that catch your attention initially are things that will annoy you in a long evening of listening.  A lot of speakers are voiced to stand out in a showroom comparison, which isn't how you'll listen over the long haul.  

YMMV, but I've gravitated towards Thiel and Harbeth because of their natural, open, non-fatiguing qualities. A lot of people say the same of Vandersteen.

Like you said - everyone has an opinion and not all the same.  I think the best thing to do is listen to them before you buy - and if you can listen on the actual components you will be using - all the better.  I love my Vandy 2ce Sig II's (bought them new) - I run them on Quicksilver M120 Tube amps and Audioresearch pre amp -- but have heard B&W's on Macintosh 60's that sound amazing.  there is alot of great stuff out there.  You should listen first

Tannoy Prestige GR any model will sound better than 99% of anything out there 
Sorry if you own something else

I just want a pair of good speakers so I can enjoy King Crimson, Ramones or Beethoven.

Then give these a look ...

Zu Audio Dirty Weekend @$1000

https://www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers/omen-dirty-weekend-2

Have been enjoying this hobby for almost 50 years.  Few speakers have ever excited me like these.

Rich

In 2007, after getting back to buying stuff again, following an 18 year bout of keeping what I had, I tried to replace good Vortex Screens made in the 1990's by Albert Von Schweikert--maker of Von Schweikert speakers that are very highly praised today.  I went to Emerald Physics CS-2 speakers by what I read--didn't like the highs as they seemed to by closed off.  Then I read about VMPS 626R monitors.  They were very highly praised in the press.  I bought a pair used and loved them.  They were very detailed without having ear bleed, open and transparent.  I later added a VMPS 215 VSS subwoofer and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.  I became a demonstrator for the VMPS speakers and had an opportunity to hear and own VMPS RM40, RM30, and then RM40 BCSE with MLS cabinets.  All were fantastic because, as has been mentioned, I loved the sound the VMPS brand produced.  

I still own the last pair mentioned here.  All the VMPS speakers are great values for the money in all of audio.  To beat the sound of those took a lot of money.  I really only had 2 makers of speakers in mind--Sanders ESL 10e electrostatic speakers and the better Vapor Audio speakers--Cirrus, or the Joule.  The Vapors really hit my sound parameters, but had gone up in price considerably over the last 4 years.  The Sanders required selling most of my other gear and buying all Sanders stuff.  Very tempting except I loved all the gear I now had and it sounded great with the VMPS speakers.  

NO ONE can tell you what sound you prefer in side your budget you're willing to spend.  I have friends that think my system sounds great, but it's still not their cup of tea.  

Listening to other speakers at friend's houses or at the few dealers that are still around is a very good way to see what sound you do like.  IF YOU BUY USED FROM SELLERS ON GOOD WEBSITES THST HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK, you usually can buy and sell without too much of a cost penalty.  You may even make out a little sometimes.  If you buy new and sell, it is much like buying a new car and selling.  You already lost 1/3 of the initial cost when you bought.

Good luck and take your time on the decision.  Check out the seller's feedback and be quick to buy once your decision is made.  The highly praised speakers go quickly on Audiogon or Audio Circle. or US Audio Mart.

Bob