Speaker recommendations

[NDA]

A pal of mine is kitting out a chalet and is looking for recommendations for a pair of passive floor standing speakers - his budget is a whisker under £1k and doesn't want to spend more.

His home speakers are some Meridian active monsters, so he's used to healthy volume levels - and I suspect he'll want the same from these. I've no idea what amp will be used for driving them - some thoughts there might be handy as he may buy an amp too.

Ideal finish would be piano black.

I've rather lost touch with the world of speakers, so any recommendations that I can scurry off to look at would be much appreciated.

[Pferdestarke]

I like Quad speakers, and B&W.

Not sure on active though.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

My KEF Q35's were around £500 back in 1999, and still sound incredible, warm, powerful and detailed.

Lovely

[Digger]

What amp and sources?

[NDA]

The amp has yet to be purchased, the sources will be iPod and Sonos.

[StuH]

If he likes active speakers then I'd stick with them as they're a perfect partner for the Sonos(+DAC). Something from ATC or Genelec.

Passive i'd be looking at Spendor, maybe A3 - although slightly over budget. I'm not a big fan of cheaper floorstanders. Generally get better results from a well engineered stand mounter. Or a 2.1 setup.