New audiophile looking for first speakers. HELP

Choose your speakers first, then the upstream electronics.

we need room size, where you can put the speakers in the room and budget.

For Death/heavy metal to sound good with tube amplification, look for higher efficiency speakers (90db or greater) with impedance ratings that do not dip much below 8 ohms.

BTW, I think your speaker choices will be limited by going with a tube amp. Mismatch amp and speakers and that music will likely drive you out of the room. Do it right, and you should be in for some nice head-banging!

I'd consider the option of a good Class D amp that is designed to work well with the tube pre-amp. Wyred 4 Sound would be a good place to start. Look for a SS amp with 50K or higher input impedance for the low end response you want for that music with a tube pre-amp.

If you go the Class D amp route, I would consider OHM Walsh speakers matched to your room size. A good SS Class D (Icepower) amp will drive almost any speaker out there today very well however!

@ Riley804 - I have not found anywhere that I can check anything out. I go to Chicago on a semi regular basis but Saturday Audio Exchange and there was a place called Hi Fi audio or something like that. The staff at both places were super rude and presumptuous.
Its not like I walked in with an ICP shirt (not that I like or own and of that) but I guess due to my age they just blew me off. Any other suggested places to try.

@ Unsound - Any suggested speakers?

@ Philjolet - I will measure the room tonight. It is NOT an ideal listening environment but its all I have. I know this will play a big part in the sound of the system (around 50%) but I can't control my room size.

Budget is less than 2k for the speakers at most if possible less than 1k for the pair.
Thanks for your help guys.
-Zak-

I second Mapman recommendation for class D amp. A lot of raw power and very clean presentation. Wyred 4 Sound is perhaps the best bang for the buck.