I bought some AR-14's about 25 years ago for $200/pair. Still have them. They sound very good. Very decent base and nice midrange. I did have to have them reconed once. In today's dollars, I guess they might not be dirt-bags at a new price -- but there must be a ton of really nice used, older speakers out there like the AR's. Good question Steve.
What's the best dirt bag speaker you have heard?
My minimalist side expects speakers that cost thousands of dollars to sound great. When I find something at throw away prices that exceeds my expectations I am inordinately delighted. I recently put a little system together for our cabin. The goal was that if the system was ripped off in our absence it wouldn't be a great loss. The only store in town was Radio Shack. They were closing out these RCA units with weird bi-direction tweeters. They sounded pretty good so I bought them for $40.00 apiece. Having listened to them for awhile now (with a sub-woofer) I am going to feel bad if they turn up missing next year.