Tool fan needs help with speakers (and electronics)


Just like the title says. I mainly listen to Progressive Metal, Grunge and Classic Rock.

I'm looking to build a system with an emphasis on speakers. My all in budget is $5K. Will consider used. My listening room is 4,368 cubic feet. 21' (L) x 16' (W) x 13' (H). Tile floor. No acoustic treatments. Not currently interested in vinyl or tube amps.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thx.


jpaz
You can easily do what you need to do for 5K. I agree with all the Triton call outs as that'll save you from getting a sub. I'm a deadhead, but my neighbor is all 90's/00's hard/metal and he has the Triton 1's and his setup sounds killer.  He has no subs.  He rocks a Manhattan DAC from a PC, and uses a Anthem integrated amp into Tritons with a rocking soundstage.  He's pretty cheap, so I bet he spent less than 5K.  Good luck.
Aerial Acoustics 10t. My room is as big as yours but only 9ft ceilings and my AA 7B’s have no problem filling my space - none at all but they demand a big amp to do the heavy lifting. Find an original Pass Labs X250 and some 7Bs or 10Ts and you’re up and running.


jpaz, I hate to be the barer of bad news but that is a very big room. It is unlikely that you are going to do Tool justice with $5000. If you could find an old pair of K horns and slap something like the Benchmark AHB2 on them you would get the volume and great upper midrange and treble detail but the bass will be muddy. Kick drums will not hit you like they should and also imaging will be non existent. Even if you were to isolate one corner of the room for listening with a smaller system you will not get there with todays prices for $5K. My best advice is not to waste your money and keep saving!
Mijostyn, Setting aside the $5K price limit for the sake of discussion, I'm curious what solid state amp and speakers you would recommend for a room of this size?  
I'd suggest putting more $$ away until the next album, then you can go wild on a much more expense system.  Ahem!!

But seriously...I have a pair of NHT 2.9 from 1999 that I got a great deal on for $1500/pair (didn't need the 3's), just changing the electronics over the years because I just loved the 2.9 for rock/metal/trance/psytrance etc...So the above that mentioned the NHT's gets my thumbs up considering your budget.

I'd also recommend a great headphone DAC/AMP + headphones...Tool in the cans is another dimension for listening and the way the industry is going, the quality of that sector of gear is amazing for the $$.
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