I have set myself a £500 budget for a pair of floorstanders (cosmetically & logistically I don't want standmounts). For some reason this is an odd price point as the market isn't exactly flooded with choices at that price.

I've done a bit of sniffing round and come up with a few choices that I will have to spend time listening to, but have I missed anything?

I had convinced myself (as a former MA5 owner and lover ) that I might be able to stretch to MA RS6 Silvers (especially as I have found some ex demo at £400). I'm also looking at Rega R3, and a late entry of KEF IQ5 which seem to be very much flavour of the month and come in £100 under my budget. A guy in one of the local shops recommended Focal Jmlab but I haven't been able to follow these up yet.

There must be more I can look at, but I can't spend days listening!

I'm running an Arcam Alpha 8 amp, 7SE CD player and most importantly a Rega Planar 3 with Elys 2 Cartridge for my beloved 70's vinyl collection.

Peter, I'm also auditioning mid-price speakers at the moment, so my thoughts so far, if they're of use...
Quad 12Ls (circa £500)- a good speaker, although not the fastest sounding. I felt it was a bit 'boxy' in sound with an unwelcome 'clompiness' effect at times. Has been well-reviewed although failed to get a Best Buy in HFC a few months ago. This is not a floorstander but is as attractive a (standmount) speaker as you'll find for the money with it's lacquered cabinet.
Rega R3s (£450)- Fast-sounding, exciting, detailed and musically coherent: good for poppy electronic music, indie-pop etc. However, there is no low bass that I could find in this small floorstander, so some may find the whole lacks body and warmth; realism could possibly be improved too. If you audition these, do check that they have been properly run-in to evaluate their true character. They've just won HFC Magazine's best sub-£500 speaker award.
Quad 21Ls £750- In contrast to the R3s the 21Ls sound laid-back, can be biwired and are (reportedly) fussy to position, preferring free space to close wall proximity. These sound detailed, smooth, safe and even; particularly beguiling and involving with slower, ambient material. Punk and hip-hop sound rather too well-behaved through these.
I'm also struggling to find many £500 floorstanders; it might be worth you seeing if Spendor do some, although I personally have no experience of them.
Good luck to the two of us: Planar 3-users both!

Thanks for that Paul - I will be checking out the IQ5's, RS6's and 714's in the next week and will report back. I'll take a look at the R3's bearing your comments in mind.
I'm looking for a speaker with good overall sound definition and a good bass - probably can't afford what I want!

Gentlemen,my last but one set of speakers fall into that price band, the Focal JM Lab Chorus 714s..whf 5 star winner,...group test winner too, and im now selling them, they are as new, indeed only about 4 months old, style finish, cost just under £500...lookinf=g for around £300...interested? let me know
07973 910055

IQ-5 excellent sounding speakers, paid $500 us, recomended. Only complaint about speaker conectors (no banana option). Rotel rx-1052, NAD c-542, QED silv. ann. bi-wired cables!!!

If I was you, I would strongly consider the B&W CM1 Speakers.....which are exactly £500!

Based on the 800 serious components, but sexier and cheaper.

http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/local.news/ObjectID/2CDAA5CB-A53A-4278-A76AFA92276B9DCC