Young audiophile metal head looking to level up speaker choice

 

@csmgolf I would like to stay under 3k.

I have been researching the Polk SDA speakers, and it looks like I can find some at around 1-1.5k . It’s a really underrating vintage speaker...

@killingforcompany The Polk L800 SDA typically goes for 6k per pair. Here’s a pair for 3500 (42%off) with a 2 yr warranty from Polk. Even if you sold it one day, you'd cut even. Don’t miss out man..this is easily the best speaker Polk ever made.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/polkl800-brwn/polk-audio-legend-l800-pair-10-3-way-floor-standing-speakers-brown/1.html

The older SDA polks were kinda crappy in comparison to the new L800 (took them a minute to perfect the tech).

You also need to place the L800 a lot closer together than typical speakers (not too far apart from each other), which would work quite good for your smaller room.

JBL 4429's! 😎

Mike

@killingforcompany 

I think a class A amp is preferable. They are very efficient, 60 watts/channel will blow your doors off. The Pass XA 60.8 would be perfect. I prefer SS amps in general and really do not know a lot about modern tube amps with the exception of Atma-Spheres which I own. The MA 1s or 2s would be fabulous driving Cornwalls but they are hand wired and very expensive.

I owned Heresy’s for decades and liked them for 70’s metal, though light on bass, but I also owned a Sphinx briefly, and while never connected to the Klipsch, I think you might be right it could be fatiguing. Polk and JBL are classic rockers and will do a nice job, I would lean towards JBL as we thrashed my friend’s dad’s pair back in the day, and they held their composure at high levels. I have owned Polks as well and like their sound for rock music. If I were looking today, I think the Tektons would be of interest for heavy music as well. Good luck, and save some of your ears for later. 

I’m a product of the 80’s and a metal head to the core.

Having bounced around both home and car audio on the higher end for nearly 40yrs I have found speed to be key. Speaking mainly on the bottom end of the frequency spectrum however there is quite a bit on the top end too but it is the lower end that causes the issues.

Among the cone and surround materials I have found the lighter cone materials such as paper with a foam surround to be the best. In an all around speaker I prefer aluminum, carbon fiber or a composite however metal is difficult to keep up with.

My litmus test by far is to use Metallica’s Justice for All CD. The kick drum is digitalized at 50Hz and it is super fast so get ready to hear muddy and sloppy if the speakers are not up to it. There will be a distinct "tick" to the kick drum when at full speed if the speakers are quick and something very different if it is not.

My preference is Cerwin Vega’s AT-15’s and a paper cone 15" sub. Vega’s do need quite a bit of good quality power. For the AT-15’s it’s 300W to get the cones moving well :)