Best spkrs for rock: Dunlavy V-Watt/Puppy-Revel??

Listen to Sean, he knows of what he speaks when it comes to this... :-)

Onhwy61, I don't have personal experience with all of the above speakers, including the 3.3's, but I must agree with Mejames when you propose that the speaker differences will be meaningless if listening to rock music. I think I know what you're driving at, and yes, there are some possible differences - in all parts of a system - that might be more meaningful or easily perceivable when reproducing naturally recorded acoustic music, but those qualities will still translate, to one degree or another, into the sonic result no matter what type of music is played, especially if well-recorded (although these differences may not confer upon studio rock an advantage that better correlates to any remembered 'absolute sound reality', instead just being matters of preference and accuracy to the source). There is also a flip-side to this issue, in that reproduction of naturally recorded acoustic music will not always stress certain aspects of a system in ways that will necessarily tell you everthing you need to know about how it will perform on rock. So for me, I always audition with natural acoustic music because I want to know the fine details of a component's performance envelope, but I also use rock as well, because that's what I listen to 75% of the time, and for a speaker especially it has to pass both tests.

I would recommend high-end JBL speakers. I live in Asia, and JBL still markets some really high-end speakers out here. However, these high-end beasts are classic JBL in sound - absolutely awesome for any type of rock, classic rock, or live music or band presence!!!

There is one pair, JBL 4344, which I saw on Audiogon for sale last week for $3,500, which I believe is still available. They retail brand new for around $11,000. I have heard "Eagles - When Hell Freezes Over" on them, and they sound absolutely incredible. (I currently own the B&W Nautilus 801 - while they are fabulous at classical music, they don't even come close to the JBL 4344 in rock music).

Another new high-end JBL is their K2S9800 series of speakers ($25,000 list price/pair) they recently launched around the world, including the U.S. Please see (www.jbl.com/home/products/series.asp?SerId=K2) for details. I have heard them out here, and they are truely amazing! So if you are truly after a high-end "rock music" speakers, I recommend you check them out....they will easily handle 3x the size of your room.....

Hum..toughy. The Dunlavy 5's ARE a faster sounding speaker than the Aerial 10t's for the record. The perception of speed is reinforced by dual tandum drivers at the different frequencies(For the Dun's)in a time aligned coherent array. This set up is hard to beat for speed of transient response, and lack of perceived distortion. Although going ACTIVE helps they dynamic potential and speed of drivers when applicable(note the ATC's, active PCM'S,ETC)
Also, the Aerials are a tad laid back sounding in the pressence reigion for Rock. I'd rule them a NON-HARD CORE ROCK SPEAKER personally.
The Watt Puppies do well as a PASSIVE speaker also in the dynamics department, and are helped by dual woofs and HIGH SENSITIVITY.
If you're indeed a rocker, Might I suggest considering A potentially supperior dynamic route, in the POWERED OR ACTIVE speakers if you want to step up the dynamic capabilities of your speakers?! Also, for you, in your "GLASS SETTING", with your tastes, may I suggest considering the highly dynamic/powered HORN LOADED Avantgardes?!!! If you don't mind sitting in front of the speakers (off axis drops off like a rock!...no pun) that is.
The tremendous lack of OFF AXIS sound reflecting from the speakers to the windows, back to your ears, will be greatly improve your potential sound in that room! The traditional design speakers your discussing will have more serious room reflection issues to contend with in your room! (NOTE: ACOUSTICS, system set up, and gear placment are all serious factors in your overall immaging and sound quality!)
I just think you'll have a great DIFFICULT to beat sound for Rock from some used Avantgardes in your room, really!
You can do well with others if you treat your acoustics or set up right though.
Still, I think you might be happy with the upgraded refinement "potential" in a "Puppy", Revel or Dunlavy switch, but they all have trade-offs for your applications, and are still ONLY PASSIVE SPEAKERS! It's hard to get more dynamic prowess from a passive speaker going through the passive crossover net work. Actives have better control over the drivers w/better damping. So, you find a high end sounding, ultra detailed(another area the 3.3's can improve from) full range speaker in either Horns, or Actives, or at least POWERED WOOFER'ED speakers(like upgraded NHT VT3's, reviewed as better than 3.3's in ALL AREAS!), like Infinity's MTS prelude highly regarded speakers(although soundstage not as deep as others, yet clear, detalied and dynamic!).
First you might want to consider what, if anything you can do acoustically to deal with your room, so as to tlet the potential of any speaker you get play through in the first place. If you can't, the Avantgards will be virtually unsurpassed from the listening seat for you, and you can sell your expensive tube amps for lower powered ones!!!...a plus.
Do rember however, that most of your ROCK material won't be recorded as well as a lot of vocal and instrumental stuff available. There is some however, as you probably know...lot's to factor in finding an upgrade for you indeed.
Well, hope this helps. But even the powered NHTvt3's will improve for you. But if you are trying to dig into Class a refinement all around, note that most all of those passive offerings have lilmitations dynamically for loud rock! I don't think you'll lose tyring any of em(like maybe the Wilsons or Revels or big Dun's, just to see/hear), and you can sell em once you're NOT SATISFIED, or currious elsewhere. That's the beauty of the used market!
Still, I doubt if you go the the CES show this year in Vegas and listen to some stuff with your music, at your levels(note people will run out when you play rock loud!..ha!), and you'll get a better idea.
P.S., Avantgard Uno's can be found at like $5k or better used. Good luck

The rear's of your NHT3.3 speakers must be placed within 3 inches of a very sturdy wall, or the woofers won't couple correctly and this will cause the speakers to sound bright. If you have a lot of glass in the room, your probably losing bass energy thur the glass, again not helping the speaker's situation. This is the way NHT designed the speakers (to be placed against STURDY wall) call them. If you do not have a sturdy wall (lets say like a 2x6 exterior wall)to place them against, then it might be wise to sell them and move on.
For another time/align speaker, consider the VonSchweikert 4.5's. The 4.5's can be purchased here on A/Gon for around $2000 plus shipping (300lbs per pair) The 4.5's have upgraded Audio Magic internal wiring and premium Hovland caps. Albert's back in business and sadly John D. has just exited. There is also a upgrade for the VR4.5's that is supposed to take them to a much higher level. It should for $2500 a pair plus shipping. Good luck hope this helped
Dave

The revels are fantastic. However if you are only going to play rock music at high levels, I would agree with others that what you have will do the job. You haven't mentioned any acoustical treatments in your room and I would look at this before going to a different speaker.