For $450, you should be able to do more-than "well" in any of your above listed catagories...In other words, I dont believe any of those speakers should run you that high..the HPM 100's comming closer to that figure, but I think you should be able to get by for alot less...As for reccomendations..I also have a Pioneer SX-850 and have a pair of Advent Legacy 3's. a pair of Pioneer HPM 40's, and a pair of Cerwin Vega D-9's. I enjoy then all, however that being said, they are all different sounding speakers..The Pioneers and the Vega's are definiatly a 'West-Coast" sound, and the Advent being more of an East Coast presentation. To answer your question, I would listen to some of examples of each, if you can, before laying-out your hard-earned dollars...You may greatly prefer one "Sound" over the other, or may find that you can enjoy each for their own attributes..That being said, the SX-850 has alot of "Guts"...and you should have no problems driving either of the speakers you mentioned. Good luck in your search!