G'luck with finding an audiophile speaker that does rock/hard rock any justice. I know that common wisdom dictates that a good speaker should handle all sorts of music genre, but its rarely the case. Most audiophiles are into jazz/vocal/acoustics/classical types of well recorded music. As loudspeaker design is inherently involves compromises, the designer most of the time voice the speakers that favors these audiophile favorite genres. Its understandable as most audiophiles listens to these kinds of music. So among the minority of audiophiles that listens to modern rock/heavy metal - the choice is almost non existent. True that if you've loads of cash, you can always buy a megabuck speaker like Mike Lavigne has that can play everything. But, if you have a limited budget, even its close to $20k for your entire system - you are in trouble.
The problem with 99% of the reviews is the reviewer mostly evaluates the speaker/gears with the typical audiophile music genre. Even if a handful of them mention how the gear sounds with every audiophiles favorite rock recording like Dire Straits or Pink Floyd, it doesn't mean anything. Those rock albums are so well recorded that it doesn't give you a clear picture how the gear would sound on typical rock/metal music. Many all time great amp/preamp/speaker fails miserably on rock music, it's not even funny.
HiFi industry is so heavily skewed against rock/metal lovers that it is failing to attract a whole generation of 'would be audiophiles'. I understand that with sub par mastering, there's a limitation of how good it will sound. But trust me, there are many many indie rock albums surprisingly well recorded. I'm not into metal, but I can guess there must be less compressed metal albums too.
Having said all that I've had somewhat good lucks with following two speakers with rock music - PMC AML-1 with a tube preamp and currently Daedalus speakers (I use Athena but Ulysses is more suitable for head bangers as it moves more air). But for metal heads, I guess adding a subwoofer would be must. Some people has mentioned Tannoy. I've never heard them. Please keep the suggestions coming. I'm kinda sick of audiophile music friendly great speakers and gears. Time for a change.
The problem with 99% of the reviews is the reviewer mostly evaluates the speaker/gears with the typical audiophile music genre. Even if a handful of them mention how the gear sounds with every audiophiles favorite rock recording like Dire Straits or Pink Floyd, it doesn't mean anything. Those rock albums are so well recorded that it doesn't give you a clear picture how the gear would sound on typical rock/metal music. Many all time great amp/preamp/speaker fails miserably on rock music, it's not even funny.
HiFi industry is so heavily skewed against rock/metal lovers that it is failing to attract a whole generation of 'would be audiophiles'. I understand that with sub par mastering, there's a limitation of how good it will sound. But trust me, there are many many indie rock albums surprisingly well recorded. I'm not into metal, but I can guess there must be less compressed metal albums too.
Having said all that I've had somewhat good lucks with following two speakers with rock music - PMC AML-1 with a tube preamp and currently Daedalus speakers (I use Athena but Ulysses is more suitable for head bangers as it moves more air). But for metal heads, I guess adding a subwoofer would be must. Some people has mentioned Tannoy. I've never heard them. Please keep the suggestions coming. I'm kinda sick of audiophile music friendly great speakers and gears. Time for a change.