From pro to hi-fi and a little confused...

I would love to audition the Dyn's and would have done it already, but there isn't a dealer anywhere near me. The reason I didn't know if they could handle rock is because of their smallish size/output. I know my VTF-2 will help, but above all, I just want a "powerful" sound.

I always find it interesting how people decide they might like a particular speaker without ever hearing it. I'm not quite sure what a "powerful" sound means to you.

One alternative would be to buy a pair of Focus 110s used. There are four sets listed on Audiogon at this moment. If you get a good price, you can audition them at your leisure and then resell them for about what you paid if they are not to your liking.

You could also call various dealers and ask if any will ship you a set new with return privileges if you don't like them.

Either way you'll be out shipping costs but that's better than paying for a new set of speakers that you can only sell for a used price.

One alternative would be to buy a pair of Focus 110s used. There are four sets listed on Audiogon at this moment. If you get a good price, you can audition them at your leisure and then resell them for about what you paid if they are not to your liking.

I wish I'd suggested that. Look for reputable sellers and you can't lose much.
I for one have gone that route numerous times and have learned some valuable lessons. Number one is to take professional reviews with a grain of salt. Sometimes I agree, and sometimes I wonder what they hear that I don't.

Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated.

I'm favoring the "active" Focus 110's by-the-way, the passive 110's would send me off looking for a receiver, which I am trying to avoid since I am pc based and wish to run through my mixer with little hassle - I am also ignorant in the area of perfectly matching a receiver and am afraid I'll have to extend my budget in the end.

About being drawn to the Dyn's in the first place. I've heard other Dynaudio's and love their sound. Also, there isn't a very big selection in the "active" loudspeaker department since I'm trying to stay away from pro monitors.

Furthermore, I know now that auditioning is the common sense thing to do. I will most likely purchase the 110a's used and resell if they don't fit. I was really hoping someone had the 110a's and could tie up these loose ends for me.

I listen to everything from classical to rock and need something that will not bust my eardrums, but allow me to be on-stage with the band to feel the music as well as hear it.

With rock music, it's hard to say. When I was young, I listened to music a lot louder than I do nowadays. I like Dynaudio speakers, but wouldn't recommend these for rock, at high levels. I think the buyer needs to hear them themselves, to see if they could give what volume and impact they may want. In the '80s, I would have bought them for a second system, just for the sound quality. Same thing for the little Rogers LS3/5 speakers where great for my bedroom.

The problem with actives is that when the amp goes south, so do the speakers. Common sense (not always followed) would indicate that neither the speaker nor the amp should be too pricey, since they're getting married...

There is also the consideration of whether you want the heat of the amp and the speaker coils in the same cabinet, or the rocking and rolling of the speaker being passed on to the amp, and probably some other things I have not thought of. Upgrade paths get complicated as well, since you have to upgrade two separate components simultaneously.

I don't mean to rain on your parade but those are the reasons I stopped looking for active speakers.

Being acquainted with pro sound, have you looked at Klipsch and Tannoy? If you buy used, you can get lots of decibels for your coin.