Young audiophile metal head looking to level up speaker choice


Hello Audiogon,

I'm a pretty new to the world of audio and looking to make a signifiant upgrade from my first self purchased speaker, the Q Acoustics 3030i.  I was encouraged by an audiophile friend to join Audiogon and post a question regarding what speaker would be best.

I decided to pick up a much nicer amplifier last year, upgrading from a Cambridge AXR85 to a Rogue Sphinx V3. This 2024 I am wanting to make a similar upgrade to my speakers.  I wanted a more dynamic amplifier and found the Cambridge to smooth when combined with my Q Acoustics.

I have my own listening room but it's rather small 11ft x13ft.  I listen to mostly heavy metal/rock music at 70-85 decibels.   I have looked at been cross shopping the Buchart S400 mkII, Dynaudio Evoke 20, Zu DWX, Arendale 1723 - but have also heard good things about vintage Usher speakers..

Thanks for your consideration and advice here.

cheers

killingforcompany

Showing 4 responses by killingforcompany

I really appreciate @deep_333 ​​​​@james633 comments about what the heavy metal needs. so few audio reviews give the genre the time of day when talking about audio gear...

For those who may have missed my earlier post - I am driving these speakers with a Rogue Sphinx V3 (tube/class D hybrid) 100wpc into 8 ohms..

@curiousjim @vthokie83 @jolywins

JBL- the classic line, L52,82,100 are classic rock speakers but I am curious about control and clarity? Heavy metal is so complex and dynamic...instruments with their individual distortion textural differences - all blazing at over 200+bpm at times - having a well sorted speaker that won’t blur or smear is something that I am hoping to find. Does anyone have experience with the 4309? That’s in my price range...

Klipsch - do would these speakers pair well synergistically with my hybrid Rogue amp? Is it BEST to have class A and/or pure tube amplification to tame treble/mid horn speakers?

Thanks again for all your advice and knowledge

 

Thanks for the responses and engagement here everyone...

 

With speakers like the JBL 4429 and Klipsch Forte, should I be concerned that I'm in a 11 x13ft listening room?  

while they are a significant jump up in terms of quality, offer almost full range listening, and are dynamic horn speakers - my concern is that they might overload my room and also might not be synergistic with my Rogue hybrid tube/class D amp?

wow - everyone here rules and for someone just getting into this hobby a very much appreciate the community and direction here ...

Room treatment is inevitable.  Part of the audiophile journey and will probably accompany upgrades in my system/speakers...

Thanks for the Legacy recommendation.  Looking into a pair right now.  Very much appreciated.  I think those brands also give me room to grow over the years.  Doing lots of research as we speak.  I think the ATC would be another brand to look into as I get older and my disposable income increases (crosses fingers).

@csmgolf I would like to stay under 3k.  

I have been researching the Polk SDA speakers, and it looks like I can find some at around 1-1.5k .  It's a really underrating vintage speaker...

While they are designed to be placed against my front wall, I wonder about the distance between each speaker and the side walls..  Each speaker would start about 20 inches from the sides walls and start roughly 50 inches from each other - I fear that would not only be less than ideal, but problematic.

Interesting to see such division over the golden ears....

@helomech @mijostyn - do I need class A/or pure tubes for Klipsch speakers?  I would worry that my Rogue Sphinx  would make them harsh and fatiguing...