Rock and roll speakers?

Yep size still matters when it comes to full range speaker output capacity, which is the main factor to consider to be able to play all kinds of music. If it can play the big stuff loud and well it can play all the rest. I think that was atmasphere's point that I agree with.

However, technology has evolved to enable somewhat more output from smaller speakers as well since that is what most people want. Although more of the same can only be better. Its all a question of how much you need. After that the rest is mostly what flavor you prefer. Most people prefer vanilla.

I think a critical element is the room, especially size, in which you plan to rock out.

If your speakers overdrive the room, the sound will likely be at best, unpleasant. And at worst, unlistenable.

I agree with most that dynamic range and ultimate volume levels might be the biggest concern. Though as has been already pointed out, often times (though not always) proper amplification can go a long way in negating that concern. Another issue is frequency response, and whether the room can handle it. Yet another issue is how well a given loudspeaker can present a satisfying soundstage and imaging. Now this last item might be more of an issue to those that listen to music that is recorded in such a manner as to preserve it, and less so if the music is not recorded with much concern for these matters. IME, classical music is more often likely to be in first category and pop music more likely to be in the second category.

Interesting thread. I think the element being not mentioned enough is that rock n roll is usually played loud and is not that sonically nuanced. Much is electric and the drums are simpler and less sophisticated. Taking this into account a listener is able to forego certain design possibly pricey features in a speaker and focus on the aspects of a speaker that highlight this music. Hi efficiency forward sounding drivers or horns do this well. In a perfect world where price was no issue it would be easy to pick a one size fits all speaker for 50K. If I want to listen to a debussy piano concerto I love my single driver full range speakers but ac/dc is not gonna shine like it would on some klipschhorns.

Hi efficiency forward sounding drivers or horns do this well.

Agreed. That's why I've been pushing the high end JBLs...you have the best of both worlds; power *and* finesse, imo. They rock hard, but can be delicate if need be.

Klipsch is ok too, but they're not in the same league as the high end JBLs, imo. However, Klipsch are more reasonably priced. As it should be. I wouldn't pay $10K for a Cornwall III.

At the low end, I guess Cerwin-Vegas, but those have clear colorations, perhaps ones that enhance the sound when playing rock and metal recordings, but in the long run one would get bored with them and sell them.