Decent speakers for mid-level AVR

+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.

The Ascends are a great choice.  Would also suggest checking out Philharmonic Audio.  They have 2 different sets of towers that are just over $4K for a pair but I think their sweet spot are the BMR monitors which are $2K for a pair depending on the finish you order.  3-way speakers that sound amazing without being bright.  

Three brands that have models in that price range that I really enjoyed & had minimal if any listening fatigue are: the Relatively newer KLH models, Mofi & Elac. In that price range, of course there are trade offs but the one thing for myself that is not negotiable is whether after a short time, I’ve heard enough because something is too far off. This can happen to me even with very pricey systems too. 

very nice collection....

wife and i used to ride a lot more when we lived in cali with the nice weather...moved to the midwest, got old, miss the good ol' days.

@pdxmonkeyboy  wrote

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. 

@pdxmonkeyboy I currently own Focal Aria 926 towers that I am using with an AVR and find it quite satisfying.  I am using a Yamaha Aventage A6A.  It puts out 140 watts a channel.  It provides plenty of power to the towers.

However, to up the game somewhat, I went and got a Marantz MM7025 2-channel power amp only to drive the front speakers.  That Marantz puts out the same 140 a channel but of course is dedicated to the towers and not sharing duties with other channels.  It made an audible difference in my system and I got the amp used on this site for half the retail pricing.

This setup works very well for me and is quite musical.  The 948's of course are a larger tower and may need more juice, but as I mentioned going to a separate power amp and letting the AVR just handle the preamp duties was a good move for me.