Speaker recommendations for my brother

[bvbellomo]

I love DIY, but he doesn't want to go DIY whether I build them or he does.

Budget is low but flexible, probably around $1000.

He has a good sub and stronger Onkyo receiver.

This is more home theater and TV than music.

He said he wanted a center, but I think he'd be better with just left and right. His plan was to keep his existing center and upgrade the left and right first - I thought this was a very bad idea. So buying 3 speakers is an option, or 2 speakers so he can hear how bad his system sounds with really good mains and a mediocre and mismatched center (I tried this once too - still don't have a center).

Space and looks are both considerations. Right now, he has very small monitors on very tall stands. My suggestion was to find taller, thinner floor standing speakers.

Audio quality is the primary consideration, but he'd rather get something 'vintage' than something new.

[Ovation]

There are so many options in this range that I can only offer what I would look at--not a definitive list by any stretch.

PSB X1T Imagine tower (1000$ CDN, so should be 650-750$ US)
SVS Prime Tower (1000$ US)
Monitor Audio Bronze 5 (about 800$ US) or 6 (about 1100$ US)
Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F or 6000F (800$ and 1100$ CDN, so should fit a 1000$ US budget)
KEF Q550 (about 1100$ US)
ELAC Unifi U5F (about 1000$ US)

All prices in pairs (some of these are sold individually).


I'm sure others will offer other options.