Decent speakers for mid-level AVR

Internal power amp sections in AVRs are lousy, but, not to fret, your Onkyo came with preouts. Connect those preouts to a external amplifier such as this Rotel and things will get spiced up (i.e. don't use the AVR's internal power amp sections).

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_440MB1555S/Rotel-RMB-1555-Silver.html

But the most important thing is...your Polk speaker models are not good (very bad). Replace them with the Tekton pendragons mentioned by another poster above.

Get the stereo pair or you could get a theater package of the same for not that much cash.

https://tektondesign.com/product/hi-fi-home-theater/theater-packages/pendragon-theater/#color

P.S. Eventually, move the AVR to a casual rig and get a dedicated surround/atmos preamp processor (no built in amplication)  Pair it with an amp such as the rotel above. Separates are the correct route for hifi surround or 2 channel music. 

You cannot stuff a bunch of power amps in the same chassis as the processor sharing the same power supply (i.e. the AVR) and expecting great sound.

P.S Preamp gainstage variables tend to be spread around in an avr. You need to adjust that correctly to improve the end sound

What motorcycles do you have?

I have a nightrod special and my spouse has a honda interstate.

.. i own 7 motorcycles and only one pair of speakers. 

All decent suggestions.  I am definitely looking at the used market. The reviews for the Focal Aria 948 seem really good but I will certainly look at the Tekton speakers that everyone keeps mentioning.  Anyone have any feedback on the Focals? 

oh yeah... motorcycles :) 

GSXR 600 full race bike 

2012 ducati multistrada

2023 ducati scrambler 

2021 Aprillia tuano factory team 

1974 canam MX 1 

2023 Ktm 300XC 

KDX 200 that I honestly can't remember what year. 

The 300xc and the Tuano are the two that get ridden most.  The tuano is like riding a rocket ship.  I had a cruiser for a bit, was a huge kawasaki vulcan.  Heavy and kind of fun to ride but not really my jam. 

Since you thought the Paradigms were bright sounding I’d avoid Focal for sure, and at this price level I’d avoid metal tweeters in general as well.  You might consider some of the direct sellers who make pretty solid speakers and offer returns in case they don’t work out.  These Ascend Sierra Towers (with RAAL tweeters) and Aperion Verus speakers are in your price range and should be a good step up from your Polks.  Just a couple ideas.

https://www.ascendacoustics.com/collections/sierra-series-pairs/products/sierra-tower-v2-pair?variant=40599146725430

https://www.aperionaudio.com/products/verus-v8t-tower-speaker

+1 @soix this was going to be my recommendation as well in addition to utilizing the preouts which had already been suggested by @deep_333. 

Many years ago I also had the Polk Rti8s, Rti4s, Csi5 center, and PSW 505. I then purchased the Ascend Sierra -1s (first generation with SEAS tweeter), which steadily took time away from my Polk 5.1 system. The Sierras were not only in a different ballpark, but a different time zone compared to the Rti8s. 

I still consider Ascend Acoustics “boutique” in terms of being an almost one-man operation, or perhaps now a family owned operation, which I strongly value.

If I wasn’t regulated to the mains being on the wall by the spouse, I would definitely be eying those Ascend towers and center speaker. 

Still regret selling the Sierras - they were phenomenal for the price, while also helping me lean into 2-channel listening.