Best Budget Bookshelf Speakers?

The Aegis One is very good for nearfield listening. I have considered it for my home office as well. However, if you plan to set up these speakers at any realistic distance away from the listener (say 5 feet or more), I don't think these are the best choice. Of the ones you've mentioned I've listened to the Tannoys and the B&Ws. I have listened to other speakers by PSB, and have to say I don't care for them very much (obviously when talking about speakers it's very much personal preference). I would favor the B&Ws overall.

I've been using a pair of Krix Equinox's in my office for about 8 months, and I think they are a great little speaker.

For my taste nothing beats the old LS3 5A, made by a number of British Companies. Try to pick up a pair used......Sweetest sound on earth!

I own a pair of Phase Tech PC-40 bookshelf speakers wired into my upstairs that I continue to be impressed by. More than a couple of times, friends have asked to pull the grills off the speakers just to take a look at such a small speaker making such big sound. This is the only Phase Tech speaker I have direct experience with, but I know the company has a 'bang for the buck' reputation and may be worth taking a look at.

What about the wonderful Spica TC60's. These things throw a soundstage the size of Baltimore. Timbre is near perfect and they are not hard to drive. I mate mine with a sub and while they will not play at head banger levels. They are a wonderfully sane speaker for those who like all types of music. I see some on audiogon for $500 to 600. John Atkinson loved these things. I would look for a pair of these and a nice tube amp and die of exctasy.