Audiophile Speakers for Rock, HipHop and Techno

Check out the Ascend Sierra LX. 

+1 on @soix comment on ATC drivers. Their motor structures are super overbuilt. They sound clear at crazy volume levels.

Give the Goldenear speakers a listen.  I have them and really like how they rock as well as how they sound on more gentle music.

@soix . Thank you

@dweller yeah.  I saw that. The finish I'd want is on backorder. Was hoping to be able to audition first but if they have a great return policy then that could be fine. Are you currently using these speakers? Curious how u have them set up from the wall. Power amp and if your using subs...

It seems like ATC and Sonus Faber may have very similar traits...since they both dedicate everything to a fantastic mid range.

Nope.  Not even close.  The ATC mids are insanely overbuilt a produce more raw power than any other midrange drivers I’m aware of, which is why they’d be superb for your application. 

Music Direct is an ATC dealer. If you don’t like them, you can return them.

@soix @dweller Thank you for suggesting ATC. I haven't looked at these before. From what ive been reading the SCM 19s sound like an absolute winner. It seems like ATC and Sonus Faber may have very similar traits...since they both dedicate everything to a fantastic mid range. There is one dealer in my state that sells ATC but from their web site it seems they only sell pro audio studio speakers. I emailed them and asked if they had any passive speakers available to audition.  Haven't heard back yet. 

@james633 yes I do. It wasn't easy. I had a hard time with REL but it got sorted out. The speakers I've listened to so far...the bass has been very boomy. Mostly with the Dynaudio Heritage specials. The sonus faber I listend 2 weren't the olympica Novas in my post...I made a mistake in typing it out. It was an older model. I called the dealer to find out what they were but he didn't remember but assured me they weren't the Novas. I basically don't want a bookshelf to try and give me low endbass that it can't give me. I felt that's what the Dynaudios were doing. I feel with the sonus faber I may have to sell the t5is and get t7 or t9s rel. I'd love Rhythmik but can't fit them in my space. 

@bluorion I going to have to give the special 40s a try. Or even listen to confidence 20s. The heritage specials were my only experience with Dynaudios speakers so I dont have a good idea what their sound is. I found.the heritage specials sounded wonderful except the bass was very boomy. So much so...it just distracted me from everything that it does so well. 

@canibefrank I have a pair of Acoustic Energy Ae1 actives in my secondary system. I love them. Actives speakers... I believe are the future. Well designed ones sound incredible. Looking for passive for my main set up though. I have 2 much invested in componets and love my power amplifier 2 much to let it go. :)

@ghdprentice thank you for sharing your journey. Thats reassuring to hear. I will check out where you ended up. That's great your so happy with it. :) 

What about the speakers you demoed is not doing it for you in those genres? Might help with giving recommendations. Hip hop and techno are usually compressed and not super dynamic but have lots of mid bass so most standmounts aren’t up to it unless paired with subs. You have subs so like another poster I wonder if you are high passing your mains or running them full range. For rock, it can get dynamic depending upon the era it was recorded in. So, you’d want even more headroom from your mains. I’d be looking for a larger three way standmount if I were you. Maybe Kef Ref 1s or perhaps Tekton Impact Monitors. There are others I am sure just can’t think of them off the top of my head. 

Snell xa reference and xa90ps as well, and i DJ and VJ

Do you highpass your subs? If not I would start there. 
 

good speakers are good speaker but stand mounts (passive) just don’t have the dynamic output need in the lower bass and this Is where the high pass comes in. 
 

You need dynamic speakers imo and that often goes with high efficiency. Stand mounts are not high efficiency… maybe try to demo the JBl 4349. Music direct has a 60 day trial period on them.  
 

On a personal note I have liked my revel 228be with subs on heavy bass/dynamic music. The 128be or 226be might be worth a try. Again 60 day trials at both music direct and crutchfield with no question asked returns. The revel have a bit more upper mid energy where the Sonus Fabers are a touch down (1-3khz) and seem to have a bit more bass impact but less bass volume, if that makes sense. Flatter but harder hitting, less warm and round. Very subtle as all these are pretty flat. 

Big +1 for ATC.  They’ll knock you on your ass. 

https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/atc-scm19-v2-bookshelf-speakers

ATC Speakers

I have a pair of Dynaudio Special 40s and listen to a wide range of music as well--house, electronic, rock, disco and everything in between. I also have a REL sub and the music sounds amazing. I have a Luxman integrated 505uxii. I'm not sure how different the S40s sound from the Heritage Specials---I'm using Transparent speaker cables. 

i have a pair of AirPulse A200 and they absolutely rock with techno, amazing. I do use an external DAC and a sub. The built in amps are delicious. Get the new A300 Pro I bet they kill it...

Interesting question. I have owned a number of Sonus Faber speakers… for natural sound you will not find better. Perfect for jazz, classical, rock, world… well most as recorded. They will sound like intended.

I think you just need a couple of subwoofers or a swarm… B&W are good for rock and the more bass heavy genera… but then you will loose some of the other genera you like. So I think you just need subs.

I chased a specific genera for a decade or more… electronic. I got the electronic to sound better… but all other genera sounded worse. I finally started listening to real acoustic music live… the symphony every month. It drew me to Sonus Faber… and  all the genera sounded the better and better. So, be a bit careful on optimizing one kind of music. You can see where I ended up in systems under my user ID. I can assure you I am captivated each time I listen to it, regardless of the genera.