Can speakers be both "big" and "accurate" ?

Thanks for the responses, as well as the criticisms! I think I need to make some clarifications, though. I'm not looking to do both "loud/big" and "pinpoint imaging" at the EXACT same time, even though that's what I said. I'm just wondering what speakers could do them both, at the proper time? And, by "big", I guess I mean to surround myself in sound (no 5.1 please), and get the impression of a live performance. "Stupid-loud" shouldn't need explaining. My tastes are truly varied, as we all like to believe, but I can groove to Led Zeppelin one minute, jam with Miles Davis the next, and swing with original Big Bands recordings, all in one sitting. I particularly like three-piece sets with awesome pianos- if a speaker can blast out Boston when necessary, and then do Gene Harris or Herbie Hancock, I'm sold! Please, keep 'em coming (and Yes- I'm paying attention to room reflections, as much as my wife will let me)!

Vandersteens are known "huge spacious sound" and time/phase accuracy...at your price range the Vandy 3a will fill your room with sound...and bass to 30hz...not designed for loud party rock...but most hi end speakers arent...

My room is the same size as yours 14x18,and I am firing the speakers down the long end as well. My speakers are arguably the best speakers...period! They are very large, very accuate, and very detailed. They are the most efficient speakers with a rating of 104dB at one meter with only one watt of power. They have the deepest, most dynamic bass of any full range speaker with a bass range down to 35 Hz. You have probably guessed that they are Klipshorns which is correct. Even though they are corner speakers, you can aim them where ever you want using 4x4 foot dense particle board as false wall baffles as I have done. This will allow you to get the full bass range without having to restrict them to the corner. Yes, brand new they would cost over $7000 if you don't mind the six month wait (if you are lucky). However, you can get these gems used here at Audiogon or at Ebay from $2000 to $2500.
Someone was bragging over at the Klipsch website Forum that he just got a beautiful pair of Khorns on Ebay for $1500.

~~~~If you get a chance to hear a set of Infinity RS1, your search may be over. A second amp will be needed. Huge sound, scary accurate, cabinets disappear as the sound engulfs the listener. Rarely come up for sale, guess why?

Just The Facts

By

Redwoodgarden gets no argument from me! Klipschorns, and most of the Klipsch boxes that Paul W. Klipsch designed are the outright bang-for-buck bargains in big and accurate sound as far as I'm concerned. The current crop of Klipsch speakers that were put out by the company after it was sold to Paul's cousin, are NO COMPARISON to those speakers in the Hertiage and Classic lines that Paul designed (some of which they still produce, though I'd opt for looking for vintage examples). If you don't want to be limited by using your corners, try out the La Scala, which uses the same drivers as the Khorns, but in a smaller package that is forward firing. I use and LOVE LaScala's and have heard them A/B'd side by side with Khorns. Khorns have a more authorative bass, and, depending upon your room and corners, can throw a pretty incredible sound stage. La Scala's are no slouch in either department, but are scaled down as is their size (whe I say scaled down, they are the size of two large dishwashers!!). I actually thought the LaScala's sounded a bit more dynamic in their presentation and a tad more forward. The only downside of using Klipsch horn speakers, is that with your SS Bryston amp they will most certainly NOT be singing their hearts out as they could with tubes. I'm going to get some flames hear, so I'm donning my flame-retardent suit now, but combining Klipsch Classic/Heritage horn speakers with an SS amp is a total WASTE of a GREAT pair of speakers! Yes, you will get big LOUD sound from those 104db efficiency horns, but you will be missing out on some of the most spectacular subtleties in dynamics, detail and clarity that you could have if you were using a decent tube amplifier. And the beauty of it is, you don't need much power at all. My 300B SET amps putting out 8 watts per side, will drive my LaScala's loud enough to drive anyone from the room (my room is only 12 X 15), while still remaining musical, detailed, dynamic and crystal clear! No doubt good vintage Klipsch will give you what you are looking for. They are difficult and expensive to ship, so finding a pair local to you would be best. They can be had at outright bargain prices sometimes, as Redwoodgarden points out. If you like smaller boxes you could also look at the Klipsch Forte's and Chorus speakers, which are also excellent speakers, but for big sound, they will not compete with the Khorns or La Scala's for what I think you might be calling 'Big Sound'....still, they are excellent speakers for the money!