Thought I would post an update:
I started off with the Behringer B2030P ($129 for the pair) but never quite liked them, and just felt like it had something missing. I heard the KEF iQ1s (was getting it for $150 on craigslist) but that was a lot worse than the B2030Ps, by which I mean they were quite dull and lacking in detail compared to the Behringers.
Home auditioned the TSC TSBLs ($140 for the pair) ... they were nice for the price, but the bass was a little too boomy and for quite a few songs, I felt like the bass would drown out the vocals and mids. They had a wider soundstage and more punch than the B2030Ps.
Compared the TSBLs to the Paradigm Atom v6 ($320 for the pair) and the difference was stark. The TSBLs sounded louder and boomier, but the Atoms were just clearer and detailed, much more musical and friendly to listen to. I liked these speakers a lot.
Also compared the TSBLs to the B&W 686 ($450 for the pair) which are expensive (for my budget) entry level speakers. They certainly look cool with the weave on the yellow woofer cone, and the highs were controlled and not harsh at all, but I could not imagine paying that money for the sound quality they produced. Another dealer in the area tried to convince me that the JMLab 706 ($550 per pair) would be my best bet but I didn't even bother to go to his showroom.
I finally went ahead and bought the Ascend CBM170 SE (B-Stock $260 per pair), connected the Optical output from my sound card to the Denon receiver, bypassed all the DSP circuitry by going into direct mode, and I am enjoying what is coming out. I decided to keep the Ascends over the Paradigm Atoms because they are bigger and when my living situation changes to using them in a bigger room, I think they will scale better. I didn't do a side by side test with the Atoms and the CBM170 and I realize that acoustic memory is very short, but I would say they have similarities in mid-frequency detail and openness of sound. Bottom line is I like what is coming out of the CBM170s and I haven't broken the bank for them.
I wanted to audition the PSB B25, but the dealer wouldn't let me take them home and I didn't want to carry my speakers to his listening environment. I also wanted to audition the Emotiva-ERM 6.2 ($440 per pair) and the Aperion Intimus 5B ($450 per pair). I realize I have "nothing to lose" with the Aperions, but I am a little tired of all the auditioning. Besides, both the Emotivas and the Aperions are much more expensive than what I paid for the Ascends which is the major reason why I am not going to audition them.
So what next? Get the Wilson Audio MAXX Series 3 of course!
Actually, I will start looking for an integrated amp (that perhaps does optical in), and fits my budget. Behringer EP2500?
I would like to thank Lsiberian for helpful tips during this process.
