Speakers for bad rock recordings

Another unorthodox (in 'audiophile' circles) suggestion: B&O Beolab Penta, an early pair (Penta I) can probably be had for your budget. I've owned a couple of different pairs and lived with them in apartments . . . and for rock, metal, and punk, they will do exactly what you're after.

The bass response is full and warm but not boomy, but slightly gritty in a way that fits this music well -- the bass has some adjustability as well. The Penta I's lack a bit of sparkle for classical and jazz, but really bring a sizzly rock/punk recording into nice focus. They crank up really well . . . but also hold together at low volumes.

Oh and they look cool, hold their value well, are relatively insensitve to room placement, and have pretty decent monoblock power-amps built in. RCA out from your preamp (or variable out from CD, DAC, or phonostage) is all that's required.

I saw and ad for a pair of Phase Technology PC80's someone is selling locally for $100. Blindjim recommended those. I might also try to find some old Advents, I know they come up for sale often here.

I'd rather be patient and buy locally to save on shipping, but buying that way I won't be able to get brands like Spendor and OHM Walsh, unless I wait a really long time.

Speakers are not gonna solve your problem.A bad recording is a bad recording,that's just the way it is.Just my opinion.

I think that it depends on what is making it a "bad recording" .

If it is recorded hot , tizzy on the top end with a lot of sssssssss's and zzzzzz's , then my suggestions above will help .

If the recording is compressed , soundslike it is coming from the other room with no highs or lows , then nothing will help .

And simply going to a remastered version of a bad recording is not always the answer either . I have found some to be just as bad as the original .

Good luck.

Agree with Saki that in most all cases a tizzy top end can be tamed with an appropriate system setup.

A good setup may help to make recordings that are dynamic range or frequency response challenged still sound very listenable and enjoyable, but within those limitations.

I've found out recently that even old 78s played back on common inexpensive 70's era 78 RPM compatible ceramic cartridge tables can be very listenable. The microdynamics in fact can be quite exceptional and compensate for the fact that there is not a lot of overall dynamic or frequency range compared to more modern recordings.