What's available to you on the local scene ? Used or new ? Shipping large speakers is usually not cost effective .
Killer Floor Standing Speakers under $4000 for Rock?
polling all ears (subjective I suppose) but would like to hear you people who have heard fairly high end speaker that kick ass in clarity for mostly Rock/ Fusion Jazz at high volumes with killer clean power .
I currently have a :
Marantz PM-11S1 Integrated amp
SVS SB-1000 Sub
NHT 2.3 Towers
Technics SL15
Klipsch/Paradigm/Infinity/B&W/Dynaudio/PSB ???
I currently have a :
Marantz PM-11S1 Integrated amp
SVS SB-1000 Sub
NHT 2.3 Towers
Technics SL15
Klipsch/Paradigm/Infinity/B&W/Dynaudio/PSB ???
77 responses Add your response
I'm on my 2nd pair of Magnepans and I'm a rocker. First pair was a Christmas present from my wife, 1.4s. Got a pair of 1.7s last year and they are fantastic!!! Relaminated the 1.4s and put them in the living room for the wife. They kicked ass when paired with a velodyne uld12. 1.7s are in my music room driven with a Bryston 4b and believe me they ROCK. Well below $4K, extra money for electronics and tunes. |
repectfully. disagreeYou're not actually disagreeing- you are making the same point I was. 'West Coast Sound'? What about the Minneapolis sound? The Seattle Sound? Is there a better speaker for that? How about the New York Sound or the Sound of London (Abby Road)? 70s Kraut rock? Norwegian Metal? Italian Prog? Is Bob Dylan Rock or folk? For that matter Steeleye Span or Pentangle? Which speaker is best for all those? Do you see the problem? I've actually seen people ask which speaker is best for mid-80s downbeat; at first I thought they were joking. How in the heck can you design a speaker for a particular genre of music? Mid-90s Ambient anyone (one of my faves)? The fact of the matter is you can't- the voice coils and crossover parts have no idea what signal passes through them. |
i do not nessesarily agree.... ...And If the studio didn't use that particular loudspeaker? A lot don't! Some use Westlake, some JBL, some ATC, some Snell, some even Magnaplanar. IOW the monitor thing is all over the map. We use High Emotion Audio. If you try to generalize with rock you meet a dead end. Some of it is recorded live, some in the same studio that yesterday was recording an acoustic jazz section. In fact studios have to stay in business and can't be too picky about what type of music they record! BTW, tube electronics in general as compared to solid state tends to have **less** 'higher order distortion' (I assume you mean higher order harmonic distortion), which is why tubes tend to sound smoother. |
I am 95% progressive rock, prog metal, classic rock and jazz/fusion. Pretty much all vinyl too.....I have a set of Rega RX5 ($2995), 2.5 way that has a very singular sound, drivers work very well together. In metal the drums and bass guitar play such big roles in that big sound. The double kick by Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Transatlantic) has never sounded better and defined. And these speakers play very loud and clear....89dB and side firing woofer to help control too much bass. These are voiced real nice for vocals and acoustic guitar which makes for excellent jazz experience. I power these with a NAD C356BEE @ 80 wpc, very satisfying. |
I’ve been a mostly "rock" professional musician for nearly 50 years, recording, live stuff, still play a little too loud. I’m also going through a "late stage beatnik" phase of being a jazz freak, listening to lots of it (hooked on piano trios), and mixing some live jazz shows (a rewarding sideline…highly recommended). My hifi rig is tonally substantial enough for the room it occupies with 2 subs and clear mains, and again I utterly agree with Atmasphere regarding the silliness of "rock" or any other style really, being sonically speaker specific. Baloney. I hear jazz things with enough drive to overdrive your drivers and drive you out to the driveway. Vijay Iyer? Julian Lage? John Scofield? Mahler? Also, agreeing with Atmasphere so often should get me a discount on one of his tube amps…I just wonder if they work equally well with Norwegian Death Metal and Mumblecore. |
Atmasphere.. i do not nessesarily agree.... first we have the problem of what it was mixed and mastered to sound like....so IF the studio is using NS1000 as the be all end all monitor well...the reults are going to vary...or a big JBL with a 8" or larger paper cone mid with breakup and ringing including sigificant out of phase 2nd order distortion ( that junk also counts as output...er efficiency...but that is a shall we say dirty secret) My theory and it is shared is the lower distortion pistonic systems are truth tellers and they lay bare the recording and a lot of rock sounds really crappy on them... hence some of the popularity of old tube stuff with tones of higher order distortion to add back in.. my vintage system w 1960's Mac stuff sounds fab with rock... run a modern hyper excellent say 2 L recording thru it and well it sucks.. to the OP just get some big JBL,s or the best used Wilson you can afford..paper cones and all |
They don't "look" the part of rock speaker, but the loudest, most clear sounding speaker I've had in my home is the Gemme Audio Tanto V2. Quite efficient with a clean and clear sound, my amps would break a sweat before the speakers would. The transmission line design also offers great bass response. There's no crossover to damage if you rock out too hard and replacement drivers are fairly inexpensive and available as off the shelf units from Madisound. There's a pair on canada's audio mart right now that are under your budget. (no affiliation with seller). Definitely worth a look...I wish I hadn't sold mine. |
If a speaker is good for rock its also good at jazz and classical. There is no such thing as a speaker that does rock better than other forms of music. This is one of the biggest myths in audio. About all that is being said here is that a speaker needs to play loud and with bass. You need that for classical too. So what is desired just sounds like the best speaker for under $4k that is easy to drive and plays bass. |
dsnyder0cnn: FWIW, I am always surprised by how good my brother's vintage Cerwin-Vega speakers sound, powered by a modest Denon AVR and mid-fi sources. You would think they would be bright and distorted (the California sound?), but they are actually pretty good - reasonably smooth highs, fair detail retreaval, and decent transients. I can't judge soundstage because of the processed surround sound, and deep bass is handled by a powered sub, but, still, they surprise me every other year when i visit for Thanksgiving. Note that the speakers you linked have soft-dome tweeters, not what you'd expect from Cerwin Vega, but there you go. |
I'm curious to know what these things sound like (although not quite curious enough to buy them): https://www.amazon.com/Cerwin-Vega-XLS-215-3-Way-Audio-Speaker/dp/B002JGXNHU/ Anyone have a pair? |
My system is more modest than many here -- a pair of Klipsch Forte Is ($300) powered by a McIntosh MA6200 integrated amp ($1700) -- but it rocks out in a most satisfactory fashion. If you have a big room and two real corners, Klipschorns would give you all the rock you ever wanted and more. Alternately you could find a pair of Choruses, which are the Fortes' big brothers, or go legacy with Cornwalls or La Scalas. |
The speakers I've heard in that range that really rocked and did everything well are Vandersteen Treos (over budget at $6,900; but I'm told the 3A has the same character at $4,775 - street price may be less.) and the Canton Ergo 1002DC. You can't get the Ergo 1002 any longer; but you can get the Reference 5 DC from Amazon for $3280/pair. That's pretty astounding since they went for $10,000 when they came out in 2008 and are actually part of the Canton Vento Line which are one higher than the Ergo. You should really take a look! I've considered Tektons. When I spoke to the owner he recommended the SEAS Pendragon or Lore-S for rock in a large space. Not sure if those models are still available. I just didn't want to be on the hook for a few hundred in shipping if I didn't like them. I'm far from them. |
I listen to 90% 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's rock at volumss that sometimes disturbs my neighbors through a set of Tekton Design Pendragon's powered by a parasound integrated amp. To me the sound is exactly as I want. http://www.tektondesign.com/pendragon.html |
Check out Brystom. Model T's if you have the room or Middle T's if you don't require that much speaker. Both very highly regarded and an excellent value. I own the Middle T and love them. Superb bass and coherent sound through out the audio band. They are killer with Rock and high SPL's !!! You will not be disappointed!!! |
There are so many choices...the old B&W 808 monitors are by all accounts great for rock (as I understand, it's what they were made for). I've owned both the old and new Legacy Audio FOCUS loudspeakers and agree with many here that they are a solid choice and generally a great value used. Not sure that I agree with statements suggesting that the older model sounds better...although it might depend on the room and electronics. I've found that the SE version is significantly better than the older model in every audio category (bass impact, extension, smoothness, midrange clarity, micro-dynamics, soundstage, etc.), even though it has one fewer 12" woofer per channel. I had both the old and new models in my listening room for a month before parting with the old ones with no regrets: http://www.dsnyder.ws-e.com/photos/potn/FOCUSx2.jpg I have since had the midbass drivers and tweeters updated, and they are even better as a result. One of the great loudspeaker values. At a lower price-point, the Tekton stuff looks really cool. I'd also love to hear the JBL Studio 590: http://www.jblsynthesis.com/productdetail/studio_590.html |
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I'm currently listening to the Transiberian Orchestra at concert levels on my Zu Definition IIIs. Zu, Tekton, Tyler Pro Dynamic series and Legacy Focus -- I have owned them all and they will all meet your criteria. The Zu are the most dynamic (also the best for vocals and guitar), the Tylers are smooth, slightly warm sounding, and the Tektons are somewhere in the middle (the Zus and Tylers are the most efficient). I still own the Tekton Lore (had the Pendragons) - they are amazing for the price. On your budget I would probably go for the Zu Omen Def Mk II. Don't hesitate to call and talk to the owners -- Sean and the gang at Zu are awesome, and there is not a better person in all of audio than Ty Lashbrook. Eric Alexander has always answered my calls and been extremely helpful as well. BTW, just be aware, the Legacy Focus and Tyler Pro Dynamic speakers are huge -- a real pain to move around by yourself! |
Second the mentions of Klipsch and JBL. I have L100's and I can best describe them as "danceable." Prices seem to have taken a dip in recent months. Given that so many old rock tunes from the 70s were mastered on them, they make it sound so true. i find my Druids to be more detailed, and the JBL's to be more fun. Iove my Zu's and their offerings so really well with all kinds of amps and components. The little brother to the Druid, the Soul series with identical drivers, was a setup I heard at a show. It was running off a Peachtree Nova and MacBook, it left more of a joyous impression on me than the 60k two part Van Der Steens across the hall that were hooked up to all kinds of Audio Research components. Of course "rocking" and "lively" are just other words for nonlinear coloration and distortion, but my brain told me what it liked. also, Klipsch and Zu's aren't afraid of corners if the room is treated properly. |
I had the 14s2 which has 10 less watts but pretty much the same and It was at its best when played high, very distortion free at all levels but if you find a speaker with less efficient drivers and it doesn't give you that bass slam, use it as a pre amp and tie a 300 watt monster to it and that should make most speakers come alive.As for speakers the ones Chayro recommended look like they are ready for business. |
tommy - Ohm offers a 120 in-home trial. While you will lose the round-trip shipping, it’s still a good way to audition speakers. My taste in rock music differs a lot from yours, but I can crank my Ohms up really loudly, and they do not lose their grip on the music, or allow the upper-mid/lower-treble range to blare and dominate the sound. That’s one reason I kept them after my own in-home trial. I have heard many speakers over the years (I am active in my local audio club), but nothing that I would dump my Ohms for that were not much more expensive. The closest I have heard would be the Golden Ears. While they are sold only through dealers, you might be able to arrange an in-home trial with a dealer. |
I was listening to my NHT 2.3’s tonight and they just lack so much at high volumes....they sound like mid rangy and honky ...sometimes feel like they are crapping out depending on artist....they do sound good at low volumes... I’m looking for something I can turn up loud that doesn’t need "hyping up" with EQ ....the clarity remains at high volumes .... music : UFO, MSG, Gamma , Rush , Billy Cobham, Return to Forever, Jeff Beck etc.... Be nice to audition all these lovely speakers at my house to make a choice.! The high end audio places are so unpredictable with whatever hifi gear is connected or room treatment .... Marantz PM-11S1 integrated amp - thanks guys for all the response! |
When I read the title of this post and see "kick ass" and "high volumes", I'm thinking only a higher sensitivity speaker will be suitable for the poster. A 3db increase in loudness requires a double of the power or a 3db increase in speaker sensitivity. The sensitivity of speaker recommendations here range from 87db to 104db, both spec'd at 2.83v @ 1m, however both are 4 ohm speakers, so the 2.83v is 2 watts. A 1 watt rating will be 3db lower, 84db and 101db. It's been noted in another thread that while listening at an average of 75db, peaks were measured at over 100db on classical music. With rock/fusion jazz at high volume I have no doubts that peaks will be over 100db. Now listening at 3m and using that speaker with the lowest sensitivity would require over 200w for 100db and over 700w for 105db. Obviously that speaker is a poor choice. The speaker with the highest sensitivity would only require about 5w for 100db and about 15w for 105db. These power estimates come from an online calculator that factors in use of 2 speakers and in a room, not anechoic chamber. IMHO, the poster should use speakers with a sensitivity of mid 90's and above. FWIW, the Zu Omen Def is a home speaker with the same sensitivity of those JBL's. |
