What is the best HEAVY METAL speaker?

I'm your huckleberry.  I listen to a fair amount of metal and hard rock.

I've owned Golden Ears - they are OK.  Bass not bad, but I found they lacked that "snap" that a lot of metal fans dig.

Without going through everything I've owned/tried... my short list.  

Ohm Walsh - They can thump, they sound huge, they gobble power.  I'm using some ancient SSC's, actually had the tweeters start smoking (pushed an absurd amount of power through them and they are OLD... they still kept ticking).  I'm going to be demoing newer ones.  I really dig everything about them for the price.  But, set-up is different.  You want the speaker end to be "live", the back end to be a bit more dead.  I'm really looking forward to demoing the newer Ohm's.

Klipsch - Older CF3's/4's (but they are hard to find, and hard to get parts for).  Conversely the KLF 30's (and lots of fun upgrades out there for them ). I have a pair of these on the way I picked up used.  Chorus II's are a damn fine metal speaker.

JBL - If you want to drop some cash - the 4367's do a great job, the M2's and the crown amps can be had for the 11-12k range. DAMN good speakers.  

Tekton - The Double Impacts are pretty darn nice for the cash, dynamic, live sounding.  I've heard the SE's, better, but not sure they are worth the upgrade.  My fear - all those tweeters.

NHT 3.3's - used.  Full range, can thump, can be a bit bright and have a funky set-up.  But a good speaker.

IF you want something more refined.  The DynAudio Contour 60's - can thump, and can play loud without an issue.  That said, the soundstage isn't quite as big, they also don't sound as "live" as the Ohm's, Klipsch, or JBL

You may be tempted with Klipsch to try the Palladiums - I did.  I wouldn't get them for metal.  Too lean in the bass, to bright up high.  I had the P37's. Good speaker, but too lean.

Focal - forget it.  Too bright, too lean for a given size.

Used Wilsons - might do the job nicely depending on model and how you feel about the focal tweeters.  The new wilsons with the softdomes are pretty nice.

Golden Ear - I have mixed thoughts.  They thump, they are not bright, they throw a big soundstage for the most part.  But I just didn't love the midrange.

Don't get caught up in the price.  More expensive doesn't always mean you will like them better, even though they may "measure" better.

Well, I'll agree and disagree with @atmasphere at the same time.

Technically, a good speaker is a good speaker. Should measure well etc.  I don't disagree.

That said, I do think people who like certain genre's of music look for different properties.  I think a speaker like your Classic Audio, is a damn fine speaker and likely does sound good with everything.  Much like the JBL M2's that are DSP'd etc.

But I've owned some nice speakers that measure great, and on certain types of music, including Rock sound pretty darn good. As they should, they are good speakers.

But, typically I find that Rock/Metal guys like myself are looking for a huge soundstage, and that "live" sound.  Maybe not the best imaging.  But damn, it's like being at a concert.

Horns of course, and IMO speakers like the OHM Walsh - they do that.  Trade-offs of course, and they also sound pretty good on most genres.  But I do think certain genre's of music have trade-offs that certain speakers give.  Maybe a little mid-bass hump with a slight roll-off at the time with a big ass soundstage... That's what I'm finding I truly like.

Kosst,
i spent quite a while listening to the Sopra 2 in particular.  I found it to be bright, not he brightest I’ve heard but on the bright side.  As far as the bass, I feel given it’s size and compared to others in that price range it was on the lean side.

its an opinion, that’s all.  I think they are good speakers, they look great and are built well to say the least.  I think they fall more on the side of the B and W diamond series, and paradigm persona, than they do the (older) Sonus Faber and say golden ear side of the fence.

as far as no one else calling them that, I think if you read many of the “ professional” reviews you will hear the same comments echoed, particularly regarding the treble.  Bass of course is so affected by the room and set up.

Some of my favorites for metal, and I do like a bit of volume with my serving of metal.

Ohm Walsh 4000,4900,5000 (4900 is the best bargain of the bunch if buying new).  Or get some old 4's/5's and do the upgrade.  In a smaller room the 3000's or the older Sound Cyl's do a nice job (I have some beat to absolute piss Pro-200's I'm rocking to Trivium  "The Crusade" right now, they are my back-up speakers but still a fun listen).  One note with the Ohm's, you want a solid amount of power.

JBL 4367/M2

Older Klipsch Epic C4's (but with a subwoofer and the right electronics)

The Legacy Signature and Focus SE's

Wilsons with the soft dome tweeter.

The Tekton DI's do a nice job

Spatial M3sTurbo's (possibly with a sub) Note, these speakers put you in the front row.

I liked what I heard from the Golden Ear Triton 1's with some megadeth.  

Right now though my tops would be the Newer Ohm Walsh stuff (in the right room) or the JBL's I believe.