Rock and Roll Speakers

"but I miss the sock-it-in-your-gut feeling"... Kelton I think what you're missing is 'Dynamics' which is what differentiates live-performances from the reproduced. Horn speakers will give you the speed & dynamic punch that you crave. Now alot of 'philes cringe at the sound of horns, (and I agree they have some undesirable colorations, but that's tweakable to a significant extent). I haven't heard the Avant Gardes (someone spell this correctly for me please?) but the reviews are superb, albiet they're pricey. I've been in love with my Klipsh for >20 years despite the 'horns-sound' which I've become accustomed to. Belle Klipsch or the LaScalas will work if you don't have corners available for Klipschorns, and they're designed to work close to backwalls (vs. sitting out in the middle of the living room) and are available pretty cheaply when you can find them. [See also: http://audiogo1.iserver.net/cgi-bin/forum5.pl?asund&969595915&read&3&4&Bob_bundus&53wNWQ6xyzUcg] Old JBL's or Altec's would work too, but probably considered even less "high-end" than Klipsch (which many will argue isn't even high-end at all either). My Belles list at $4500/pr. which isn't exactly KMart. With only 2 watts output, I get LOUD punchy & dynamic rock (nb. Dire Straits) at >105db SPL. Using a 200w/ch amp, the sky's the limit... Amp On!

I have gone down the same road as yourself looking for this speaker that does'nt seem to exist! (My latest purchase of Legacy's new Whisper and Extreme Subwoofer, is the closest so far though...but I'm still looking for "the" speaker). In retrospect, I think that I should have considered VMPS speakers. The one area in which they ALWAYS excelled was their dynamics (they lacked somewhat in refinement). VMPS has now revamped their higher priced offerings with some very unique drivers. It now looks as if they are both dynamic and refined. This is where I would start if I had to do it over.(Anthony Cordesman bought the review pair for his new reference!) I definately agree with one of the threads about NHT 3.3's (If your budget is below $4000.) At this price point, they don't have much competion in terms of a entry level high end speaker that can actualy produce decent levels. If you really like realistic loud, forget the Ariel 10T's. These speakers play amazingly loud ...for their size,...but they just don't have the enough drivers to move tons of air. In regard to Revel, I have heard many negative things in regard to their abilty to portray dynamic contrasts...from loud to soft...very "unhornlike"...for lack of a better description. (I have a sneaky suspicion that this problem is due to Revel's decision to utilize 4th order crossovers. 4th order crossovers always seem to suck up dynamic shadings) In regard to Von S7,...have you ever wondered why Vons are the most prolific high end speaker on the used market. This tells me something just isn't right about their designs. I have heard nothing but praise for the Dunlavy speakers...but I know he can do even better. He does not use the best offerings from his speaker suppliers...and I have heard the differences in sound from Vifa, Audax and Morel drivers to appreciate their better resoving abilities.I must note though that the best sound I have ever heard was from Dunlavy VI's , bi-amplified monoblock amplification with Sigtech digital room correction...so I must give credit where credit is due. The cost of this system was in excess $85k, so it was unfortunately outside of my budget...but I think that I could easliy live with this system...now if John Dunlavy would just use those premium drivers in his designs.... Last year at CES, I listened to every horn speaker at the show. Unfortunately, there still seems to be a comprimize in their overall sonic refinement, regardless of the manufacturer. If you can live with these aberations, the dynamics can be incredible .Unfortunately, I have found taht there has yet to be a horn speaker that does not "sound like a horn speaker"...if you know what I mean. Note: I have heard through the grapevine that Legacy will soon be offering a new flagship speaker which has all of the atributes of their Whisper, Focus and Extreme subwoofers combined! This may be where I end up next. (Unfortunately, this speaker will cost.....gulp.....around $25k...If you can afford this price point, you may want to investigate this speaker along with VMPS) Hope I was of some help. Please keep me updated on your findings so that I may also find "the" speaker.

Try the Genesis 501 or APM-1.

Nice thread and fits my music tastes as well. I own the Focus now and bi-amp them with a pair of Parasound HCA-3500's. As far as dynamics it is an excellent combo. It is not however the last word in resolution for that smoky blues/jazz that I love as much as rock and roll. As you all know very few of us are ever satisfied long. I have just started my new house which includes a 25x35x10 room just for me. I drove 3 hours 2 weeks ago to hear the Dunlavy V's and came away very impressed. I am hoping to get to Kentucky(bout 4 hours) to see and hear Tylers new Linnbrooks when they are finished. I havent found a place that close yet to audition the big VMPS but will before I buy anything. I also want to hear the APM-1's as mentioned by Asfortier. Loudspeakers in this price range(10-15K) are what I have to consider last purchases if there is such a thing. I expect them to be very close to perfect for my tastes. The Dunlavy's showed me I can have this and I am anxious to get on with hearing the others. Good luck to you as well.

if ya want a full-range speaker w/o a subwoofer set-up, then go w/avantgarde acoustics horns (their top-line model *does* come w/an extra pair of outboard subs), or one of vmps' top models. ehider is right about vmps - wery dynamic, but their earlier versions weren't as refined as typical *audiophile* speakers. but w/their latest iterations using stuff like fancy raven tweeters, i'd bet this is no longer the case. but, what i'd do if i already had a pair of german physiks w/the walsh-style ddd, would be to add a pair of vmps' larger subs w/a good outboard crossover, and one (or a pair of) decent solid-state muscle amp(s). i currently run a pair of meret re monitors, bi-amped w/electrocompaniet amps. the bass is handled by a pair of vmps larger subs being driven by a pair of bridged adcom gfa 555's. crossover is the marchand 24db/octave xm9. this x-over is *wery* flexible, w/plug-in x-over frequency modules, and a volume control for the x-over point as well as low/hi-pass volume controls. my system, happy w/delicate instrumental & vocal work, will *definitely* pass the ac/dc test! :>) and we're not talking one-note boomy thump - the bass is a deep & tight & textured as *any* bass i've heard in *any* system. doug