I'm looking to upgrade my front and center speakers. I'm currently running JBL and they're too damn bright. They hurt my ears! I want a smooth (warm) sound. My surrounds are mirage om-r2 and my rear surrounds are mirage Omni fx. I have tower speakers right now but I dont think I need towers anymore since the purchase of My HSU STF-3 Subwoofer. This system is 95% Home theater. I dont mind mismatching front and back speakers.
receiver is pioneer 1014 room size 12 X 24 (basement) budget is 800 to 1000 US for all three speakers
Axioms are excellent, but others have found them a tad bright so you may not like them. Paradigms would probably agree more with your tastes so give them a try. Look at the Atoms.
Then there is Ascend Acoustics and should fall within your budget. Another excellent set of speakers well detailed but not bright at all.