New audiophile looking for first speakers. HELP

we need room size, where you can put the speakers in the room and budget.

For Death/heavy metal to sound good with tube amplification, look for higher efficiency speakers (90db or greater) with impedance ratings that do not dip much below 8 ohms.

BTW, I think your speaker choices will be limited by going with a tube amp. Mismatch amp and speakers and that music will likely drive you out of the room. Do it right, and you should be in for some nice head-banging!

I'd consider the option of a good Class D amp that is designed to work well with the tube pre-amp. Wyred 4 Sound would be a good place to start. Look for a SS amp with 50K or higher input impedance for the low end response you want for that music with a tube pre-amp.

If you go the Class D amp route, I would consider OHM Walsh speakers matched to your room size. A good SS Class D (Icepower) amp will drive almost any speaker out there today very well however!

@ Riley804 - I have not found anywhere that I can check anything out. I go to Chicago on a semi regular basis but Saturday Audio Exchange and there was a place called Hi Fi audio or something like that. The staff at both places were super rude and presumptuous.
Its not like I walked in with an ICP shirt (not that I like or own and of that) but I guess due to my age they just blew me off. Any other suggested places to try.

@ Unsound - Any suggested speakers?

@ Philjolet - I will measure the room tonight. It is NOT an ideal listening environment but its all I have. I know this will play a big part in the sound of the system (around 50%) but I can't control my room size.

Budget is less than 2k for the speakers at most if possible less than 1k for the pair.
Thanks for your help guys.
-Zak-

I second Mapman recommendation for class D amp. A lot of raw power and very clean presentation. Wyred 4 Sound is perhaps the best bang for the buck.

Zakmetal...if you have not purchased the Mesa Boogie amp or Rogue preamp yet, listen to Unsound, and choose the speakers first and then work your way back on electronics. There are plenty of speaker options that will let you rock out in the $1-2K range new and even more if you are willing to buy used, which clearly will allow you to go up the food chain. For metal/heavy rock, I would stick with floorstanders that have solid bass. Here's an initial list with retail price in parentheses for a new pair:

1. Paradigm Studio 60 v.5 ($2K)- Stereophile Class B
2. PSB Imagine T ($2K) - Stereophile Class B
3. Revel Concerta F12 ($1.5K) - Stereophile Class B (these speakers can rock)
4. Aperion Intimus 6T ($1.4K) - Stereophile Class C
5. B&W 684 ($1.1K) - Soundstage Reviewer's Choice Award
6. Dali Ikon 6 ($2K) - TAS Editors Choice Award
7. PSB Synchrony 2 ($3K) - TAS Editors Choice Award...you would have to buy this used

I tried to choose floorstanders that could go relatively low in frequency with not only deep but tight and punchy bass and good dynamics across the frequency spectrum. Read up. There are many more but this should be a good starting point. Try to see if you can listen to any of these and narrow down your preferences. As many folks have said, once you have narrowed down choice of speakers, you can make a more informed decision on amplification. If your budget on amplification is also in the $1-2K range, I would look at an integated amp to maximize price to performance. Hope this helps and good luck shopping.