Soundstage and explosive dynamics?

Agree with Shadorne recommendations and also add PMC. For a couple of under the radar choices, consider the Volti Audio Rival and a couple of the offerings from Duke Lejune of Audiokinesis. They would include Prisma, Zephryn 46, and the newest model Azel. Duke’s speakers sound terrific and he is one of the good guys in audio. You could check out Seaton Sound as well. A word of caution, though. I approached them both 4 years ago and again 3 years ago at Axpona about how inadequate their website was in checking different models specs, etc.. They agreed and I was told both times it would be up to speed soon. Looking at their site today, I can see that it is still incomplete. It would be up to you if you would want to pursue them given that red flag, but they do check the boxes that you want checked. They are also active speakers with DSP. Very dynamic speakers. When looking for speakers with explosive dynamics and ease, there is no replacement for displacement IMO.

The Volti Rival falls within his budget and was recommended earlier. I agree that the Volti speakers are very nice.

+1 @phusis   

I have heard many, many speakers with multiple small woofers and some can have very good dynamics. However, they do not get to the level of horns. None, zip, zero, nil, nada. Doggedly denying that fact does not make it any less valid. High efficiency and displacement are the way to explosive dynamics as has been stated several times here already. 

Using highly compressed rock music to make the proclamation that your speakers don't dynamically compress music......absolutely brilliant. BTW, I like and listen to a lot of rock music. The Focals at 92 db efficient are likely very good at dynamics up to a certain point. No one hear is saying otherwise. Trying to say that they are the equal dynamically to any of the Volti Audio speakers, which are from 99 to 104 db efficient, is just plain foolishness. Again, not saying that the Focals are not good, just these are on a different level. You need to hear them to understand the difference. Dynamics and ease of presentation at any volume. And if you are comparing the sound quality to any PA system, all I can say is go seek out and hear a pair. Absolutely no contest. If I could afford the Alura, I would be permanently done with buying speakers. One of the times I heard them at Axpona, I was sitting right next to a speaker designer listening to them. I asked him what he thought and his only comment was, "Those are fantastic". 100% agree with him.

 I'm guessing you've never even listened to Tools recorded work. Dynamically compressed doesn't at all describe it.

More assumption from you, what a surprise. I have "Opiate" and went back and revisited it after this comment. I immediately followed it up with Dream Theater's "Awake". If that is your frame of reference for dynamics and recording quality, your frame of reference sucks. My comment about listening to dynamically compressed rock was based on that recording and after listening to it again, I stand by that comment. 

I kinda doubt the OP is still paying attention. His aspirations for a system aren't much different than my own

Who are you, Carnac the magnificent?

 but has turned this thread into a soap box for those to extoll the virtue of their own opinions.

Clearly, self awareness is not a strong suit for you. You do it on every thread you participate in.

 

I'd have ignored this posting half way through page 1 had I originated it.

Too bad you didn't originate this posting, it would have saved reading a bunch of whining from someone that clearly does not know what he/she does not know. 

Low level listening dynamics are clearly a virtue of high efficiency, large displacement speakers (not always horn systems). At normal listening levels (70-85 db), the gap is very narrow for most really good speakers, irrespective of design philosophy. When you start getting above 90 db, many, many home speakers begin compressing. My current Meadowlark Shearwater Hot Rods, though ony 88 db efficient, are very credible dynamically up to that point. Comparing them to my previous Vapor Audio Arcus was enlightening. The compression is subtle at first and becomes stark as the volume goes up from there. Why did I get rid of the Arcus? for my taste, they require a subwoofer and I could never get the blend perfect. 90 plus percent of the time it was seamless, but when it wasn't, I hated it. If you listen at all above the levels mentioned above, you owe it to yourself to listen to one of the high efficiency systems mentioned in comparison. You will be surprised how early many systems begin compressing and understand what that really sounds like. It truly is an eye/ear opener. 

Geoff, thanks for the link, very interesting. The Tool disc I have is on the low end of the medium scale, and is audible. Clearly many of their albums are better, and I will check out some of them. It also shows that the upper range dynamics of the DT album is better. What is really interesting is how differently the same album can rank, depending on the release.