Killer Floor Standing Speakers under $4000 for Rock?

Sensitivity for the ELAC - Uni-Fi FS U5 is 85 dB at 2.83 v/1m and since it is a 4 ohm speaker, the 1 watt rating is 82db. I seriously doubt the poster would make it through his first hour of listening before the tweeters were blown.

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!

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.

Your amp is a little under powered (not even rated at 4ohm) and using extreme high efficiency speakers usually risks compression and lack of balance  (sound dull) at higher levels. 

You might want to rethink your strategy for clean loud rock. 

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.