Stand Mount Speakers for Classic Rock that sound alive at lower volumes ?


I would like some advise for used speakers that:

- Play Classic Rock well without sounding flat or harsh (I only listen to 70s/80s)

- Sound alive and snappy at lower volumes (to avoid noise complaints)

- Won't overload my listening room but still have some boogie factor.

I've had B&W 803 Matrix for 20 years but they don't sound good at lower volumes.  When I play them at a volume loud enough to make them come alive in my condo, they interact with the room too much and sound harsh.   They sounded great when I lived in a house with carpeting and a bigger room.  I will probably get noise complaints trying to use these speakers in my condo.  The room is 12' x 13' with the speakers along the 13' wall.

I want to buy used so I don't take a hit if I need to buy different pairs before I find the right one for the room.  I was thinking of trying ProAc D2's or the really old B&W Matrix 1 which was a bookshelf speaker with a 6" woofer that many say was the first 805 but without the 805 name.  I heard these back in the 80s and thought they sounded really good because their small size presented a smaller musical experience and still boogied which seems like what I need.  I see some used ProAc DT-8s for $3500 but they are full towers with (2) 8 inch woofers so they would probably overload my condo which has no carpet and floor to ceiling windows that reflect sound.  I heard the B&W 805D3  back in 2017 but that was at a stereo store with a big room.  They really thrilled me at the time but maybe they would sound bright in a smaller room.  Anyone else been down this road of playing Classic Rock in a smaller room?

tom32801

I would suggest a pair of klipsch heresy iv or forte iv speakers. Both are good in small rooms and are excellent with rock.

Completely agree with @ozzy62. When I had my Heresy IV’s I remember how good they were at lower levels. Still dynamic, musical, open. Only other would be the same IMO would be my Volti Razz, but they are not stand mounts. One other that may be an option would be Tannoy Arden, I’ve not heard a modern version, but I really liked a pair I head 25 years ago. Or look at Fyne offerings. (Former Tannoy folks)