how bout if my real upper limit is $300, would a pair of Alesis ProLinear 720 2-Way Active Studio Monitor
be better?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/603221/

Thanks,

Alex

p.s. my primary goal is to use the monitors so that I can practice piano while I take up jazz piano lessons. So it has to above all sound good for that purpose, even though I will also use the keyboard to make little mixes (with cakewalk) every now and then.

The little Yamaha's would be my choice. I believe they're the MSP3's? Around your range... Excellent for what they are but won't have much bass.

A nice set of stereo computer speakers with their "subwoofer" from the office supply store may do fine as well?

If you can go 400, I'd lean on the Alesis Active MKII's.

Frankly, if you plan on being at all serious you'll upgrade to something exotic down the road anyway. For now, get something affordable that looks pretty and will work with your stuff you now have and be done with it. I ended up with Yamaha's 99 dollar computer speakers(No longer available), they are marvelous(For what they are.). If you have one nearby, try a music store like Guitar Center and listen to what they have... DON"T be talked into anything expensive - for now......

Keep in mind that to supplement your "cheap" speakers, you can get a very nice pair of headphones that will let you at least hear ALL of the sound top to bottom, for 50 to 100 bucks(And, they let you "wail away" into the wee hours with fewer complaints from the household...).

TG