Audiophile speakers that rock well

Dynaudio Contour S1.4
Usher be-718
ATC SCM
Paradigm signature S2

Totem. Mani's used if you can find them for that price

As I see it, there's a tradeoff relationship between "monitor-sized" and "does Rock well".

In order to have good bass, a small speaker has to trade off efficiency. That's not a problem; the problem comes when "rock the house" levels are demanded of that small, low-efficiency speaker. A small speaker's thermal and mechanical limits are likely to be reached well before "rock the house" levels are, and sound quality takes a hit at that point.

Often a floorstander takes up no more real estate than a monitor-type on a stand, and the extra internal volume allows the designer to do things he couldn't in the smaller box, often resulting in a speaker that works better for rock.

That being said, one of the better small speakers for rock was the Cliffhanger Bulldog. A three-way in a market segment dominated by two-ways, the addition of a midrange driver allowed use of a bass-optimized woofer that had more thermal power handling and mechanical excursion than similar-sized woofer which had to reach up an octave or two higher. Out of production, they show up for used from time to time.

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/cliffhanger_bulldog_followup.htm

Duke
dealer/manufacturer

As a new owner of the Zu Soul Superflys I have to second the Zu recommendation.

ATC Monitors are popular with studios that produce a lot of rock - try to audition the SCM19 - small but plays surprisingly loud. You will need a beefy amp though.

Pick up that used pair of Piega P-10s. They are excellent at rock and will play as loudly as you care to listen.

Shakey