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Some of the Best speakers for Prog Rock/Metal

Hi guys,

I'm in the hunt for speakers, preferably floorstanders, that would be best suited for progressive rock/metal. Common bands I listen to, to name a few, are: Opeth, Tool, Agalloch, Kamelot, Dark Tranquillity, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Nightwish, etc. If any of you know some of these bands, you know that they're not just balls out metal, but they have a lot more intricacies to them as well.

I honestly don't even know where to begin in the search for speakers that would be best for this. I do know that I plan on getting a tube CDP and tube amps to go with whatever speakers. So, list out some speakers/brands that would be great for this. At this point, don't worry about budget, just nothing above the $8-10K range.
heywaj10
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Here's a short list of speakers to consider with your tube amp:
Audiokinesis
Classic Audio Reproductions
Coincident
Reference 3A
Devore

I believe the top two will be better on progressive rock because they have large bass drivers combined with horns, and they will move more air than the other speakers with smaller drivers.

This is not to say that the other speakers won't also sound great. It'll be a matter of personal preference.

FWIW, the Audiokinesis speakers are sold with a home trial period, so you can try them in your system and decide whether to keep them or return them.
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Another I've never heard but would interest me in general with a tube amp for any kind of music including prog/metal would be the Shindo Latour.

http://www.toneimports.com/shindo/latour.html
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
You probably want something that does not sound harsh or forward. Look for a design with a midrange scoop ( a dip in the midrange response from 1K to 4K or in practice a speaker with 6" or larger midrange and with a tweeter crosssed over high say at 4KHZ).
heywaj10 OP
17 posts
 
Thanks for all your responses guys, I'm definitely going to look into all those models. One thing I'll throw out there is that I don't necessarily have to use tube amps. If a tubed CDP and/or tube pre-amp smoothed out some of the highs enough for a SS amp to work with it, then perfectly fine. I just keep hearing more and more about tubes and how they can be fantastic for my genre of music.

Also, I'm currently 23 with a very limited income...for now. I'm trying to get ideas for when I go out and actually do listening demos as I save up for my big rig in the future. Thanks again guys, keep the recommendations coming!
tvad
9,467 posts
 
23. Limited income. And, you're looking for speakers in the $8k-$10k range?

I must have a different definition of limited.

:)

FWIW, I think you should make the tube or solid state decision and then search for speakers. If you leave all the options open, then this will be a 50+ page thread with over a hundred different suggestions, and you will be more confused than when you began the thread.
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