I have a friend who specializes in vintage speakers. He repairs/rebuilds them and sells the ones he does not want to keep. Most of the older speakers 70s & 80s lets say, have a very musical sound. Some really have an excellent mid-range. That may be to the box sound as I call it. Depending on the design, some are more open and some have better bass. It also depends on what you match them up with. The newer (maybe not the current models) designed speakers like Alon, Meadowlark, Vandersteen (used in your price range) are more open and balanced top to bottom versus the much older box speakers. Each speaker has strengths and weaknesses and match up with different components differently. When I hear the oldies at my friends house, the mid-range sucks you into the music at first but then you realize that you are missing so much more. BUT I could like with that if I only listened so much and vocal music, etc.
Happy Listening.
Happy Listening.