Don't forget about the enclosure, a detail that is commonly overlooked. When I had my focus, I had an elemental designs 10o.4 powered by a DEI amp, getting approximately 500 watts rms. Served my purposes well since I am an SQ guy, but a lot of it had to do with the custom fiberglass box in my left wheel well.

Also, take care of your front stage first and do it right. One of my biggest regrets is that I have never put together a good two-way or three-way component front stage.