Polk Audio Monitor30 Series II

The series II is the exact same speaker as the original monitor 30 except the new model has a black front baffle instead of silver. And if you pay $179 you are paying way too much.

They're $79/pr here.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290200

There is no one consensus best $200 bookshelf speaker. People hear things differently. Some prefer a brighter sounding speaker, others prefer a more balanced and warm speaker. Its really up to the individual listener.

If you're on a budget get the Polk Monitor 40's for your front speakers and CS2 center.

Monitor 40's are going for $109/pr, CS2 center is $99 today only. If you can spring it also get the Monitor 30's for your surround speakers.

That's less than $300 for a 5.0 setup.

Polk Monitor 40, $109 with promo code EMCJJJD37
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290202

Polk CS2 center, $99 with promo code EMCJJJD23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290212

Polk Monitor 30 $79
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290200

If the CS2 center is too large for your space, then get the smaller CS1 for $59
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290210
Edited by afrogt - 11/22/12 at 1:17pm

Another bargain are Pioneer Andrew Jones speakers which are on clearance.

Pioneer BS41 bookshelf $84/pr
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117406

Pioneer BS21 bookshelf $39/pr for surrounds
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405

Pioneer C-21 center $49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117404

That's less than $175 for 5 speakers.

These are mellower sounding than the brighter Polks. The Polk Monitor speakers will play louder at the same volume than the Pioneers since they have a higher sensitvity.

But like I said earlier, its a listener preference. Some will like the Polks better, others will like the Pioneers.

I've been listening to the Klipsch, Polk, and Pioneer...the Polks were definitely fuller sounding, especially for the size....the Klipsch were brighter than the Polk, so I picked up the 30's and the CS2 center while they were on sale...didn't get the 60's in time but im debating between those and the 70's...plus the Pioneers are large.

Since I own the DT SM450 and the Polk m40s and have done a nice A/B comparison....I can answer you question specifically, with the caveat that I am giving my opinion. But in my opinion, my DT SM450 were WAY better than my Polk m40s, especially at the low and midrange ends. The Polks can get pretty low, but it sounds kind of muddy to me, while the DT SM are very clear and balanced.
Another speaker to consider in your price range is the Infinity Primus p163. Another speaker being discontinued, they have been on sale for 100/pr or so recently!