Choosing the best speakers for my system.

Do you already have the Mesa Baron or have a lead on one? Those aren't so easy to come by.

The Maggie 1.6's are much loved, but they're hardly the first choice for aggressive heavy rock, metal, or electronica. The Gallos would be a better match for that, as would some of the multi-woofer PSB or Paradigm tower speakers.

Knowing your budget would certainly help.

Although it's a lot cheaper, I think the Technics SL1210 M5G would be a better turntable for hard-driving rock. It's speed accuracy and consistency is relentless. Put the KAB fluid damper, a Herbie's Way Excellent mat, the LP Gear ZuPreme headshell, and SuperSpike feet on it, and it'll really rock out with great drive, slam, and surprising clarity. Start with the M5G or you have to get the tonearm rewired though.

06-11-09: Zakmetal
Johnny B: I will get a Baron one way or another. I have played Mesa amps for years and I have spoke with some old school Mesa guys and they said that this is right up my ally. Plus its just cool to have a Mesa audiophile amp.

Yeah. I have had a DC-10 for 9 years; sure wish I had a Baron, but that's a lot of hardware!

I have heard that the clearaudio is amazing but since you suggested the technics, would my stanton str8-150 with an "S" arm be just as good. I have been pretty happy with that but I only have a Stanton 680.V3 cart on it. I have a Technics but really didnt like it.

I wouldn't say the Stanton is in the same league with the Technics. Which Technics do you have, and how old is it? The stock SL12x0 mkII thru mkV is so-so unless you get the tonearm rewired (about a $170 job) with something good. The M5G has upgraded wire from the factory. From there, as I said, upgrade the mat. feet, and headshell, and get a fluid damper for the tonearm, and it elevates its performance to compete with $1500 turntables.

As for your cartridge, www.kabusa.com specializes in improving performance of the Technicss and Kevin the owner-operator likes some of the Stanton carts quite a bit. Check out this page. Also, I think an Ortofon 2M Blue would be a great cart to get lots of quickness and slam at a decent price.

For speakers, if you have the room, you may want to consider the Cerwin-Vega CLS-215 or CLS-15 as they're easy to drive, can go very loud, and yet some high end reviewers consider them capable of some pretty refined sound. Easily within your budget as well.

A Mesa Baron driving a pair of older PSB Stratus speakers or the current PSB Image T65's would give you just what you want, and yet offer plenty of refinement if you listen to some acoustic music.