Great, cheap speakers for a second (or third) system

A short while ago I was able to persuade my wife that I needed yet more stereo gear. Initially, I was looking to build a cheap system for the front room so our new daughter (2 months old now) who loves classical music could listen to it anywhere in the house. (That the was the approach I decided would work best; classical music - of any kind - does seem to sooth her, the little angel!) The main system in my small but dedicated stereo room was off-limits, and the bedroom system had to stay, you see, so a new system was in order. My wife was not to have any of it. Instead, she decided, a third set of speakers running off my Arcam Alpha 9 in the bedroom would be acceptable. Two caveats: they had to be cheap and small. I'd have $500 TOTAL for the speakers and stands and cable and everything. What to do?

I shopped around for a while and was mostly disappointed. I did find some used Linn Tukans that sounded great, but the prior owner apparently like to bash them around a little, so badly marked up were the cabinets, and he also likes to do modifications having heavily soldered the jumper on the speaker terminals. Pass, albeit sadly. What was left in my neck of the woods? (I will NOT buy before hearing.) I finally settled on B&W DM303s, of all speakers. I've listened to many a Bowers speaker and was generally left unimpressed. But these were different! They are great speakers for the measly $300 asking price.

When I got them home, I hooked them up to may main system (CDX / Nait 5 / FlatCap2) and was rather impressed, right out of the box. A little harsh and tizzy, yes, but satisying. Did they match my Vieanna Acoustics Bach? Um, not even close. But a surprise was in stor in my second sytem (CD 3.5 / Arcam Alpha 9 / MA 700 PMCs): I almost liked them better than the MAs. Oh, sure, there was less bass, and the harshness of the new speaker was apparent, but after only one day the harshness disapparead and I actually decided to run the B&Ws in the second system in the bedroom and run the MAs in the main room. Bottom line is that these speakers are amazingly clear and detailed for so little money, and while not the bottom line in PRaT, they more than hold there own for much music. Not much bass, but enough. Smooth midrange. Extended treble. Simply astonishing. For anyone who needs a cheap speaker, the B&W 303s may be the ticket. (And no, I do not work for B&W. I just love these little speakers, taken for what they are.)