Speakers for metal, hard rock ... also SS amp


I need recommendations for people who play a lot of metal and hard rock. I don't want to be dependent on a sub for the bass slam.

Speakers should be in the $4-8K used range and amp should be high quality.

I don't want it to be too harsh, though, because I ocassionally listen to ambient, female vocals, soundtracks, etc.
mrvegas
ALl the suggestions are very good. I'd like to add to your list though:

Speakers -
B&W N801, N802, 803D, 802D, Wilson Sophia(already recommended)

Amps(you need big, powerfull, smooth amps)-
McIntosh MC501 monoblocks, Krell FPB300 and up, McCormack DNA-500, Levinson.

But you didn't mention the room size, preamp, source. Is the room treated? What type of sound do you like? What is the budget for the amp?
Not doubting the excellent recommend's above...

...for serious metallic applications go for JBL (home -- not pro) recommended above. OR and IF your room allows use of corners or close, try big Klipsch (used). Or even TAD with appropriate subwoof.

Notwithstanding the excellent audiophile advice we all give, and beautiful products that abound (Kharma? Sonus Faber? many others) people like JBL design and produce some of the BEST drivers and people like Klipsch have designed some of the best speaker applications.

I'd recommend ACTIVE big ATC's or other (than Klipsch) horns -- but these are well over your budget.

Most other speakrs will be too "polite". Surely you want to feeeel the metal, not have it sound like a symphony orchestra:)
Cheers
Old JBL TI 2500 (4 way model) with old Levinson 27.5. And you get what you want. And the neighbours, if any, also what they dont want.