Agree on the Polk Monitor 10's for rock. Still have a pair in rotation today. The OP should budget $2750 for a high end speaker that will have excellent sound stage an imaging. Then find a pair of Monitor 10s for $150 on Craigslist and upgrade the caps for another $100. The more expensive speakers should undoubtedly sound more refined. But when it comes to rocking out and cranking it up........vintage Monitor 10's still rule.
What is the best HEAVY METAL speaker?
I know totally blasphemy question here on Audiogon. But you like what you like, right? Anyway, I know most metal music is totally compressed and recorded horrible (aka Metallica) however there is a new age of metal bands out there that are starting to change that (Opeth started with Blackwater Park). So what speakers out there can take the pounding of a double bass drum kit hitting at full throttle and give the roar of metal guitar justice. There has to be a set up that would make Glen Tipton turn his head and say hell ya!