Which Speakers are good for listening to Hard Rock/Metal???

O&B HCA500 Power Amplifier
SAMUEL said:
Hi Denom,
The klipsch aren't a step down especially the F2. Are you sure about the price of F2 'cause sometime back when I enquired about it the price was around 42K. And now it's not available at all in chennai.Stocks have sold out:(.

The klipsch sound is not for everyone.You either love it or you just hate it.
Most users from the many reviews I've read prefer Klipsch for Rock/Metal/Techno/Jazz etc.Their Reference series is in a different level. Klipsch speakers need a very careful selection of source & amplification. Definitely have an audition if possible.
There is a nice review of the F2 in 6moons website if it may interest you.
No way related to klipsch, just thought of giving a background.:)

All the best with your speaker hunting.:yahoo:
Regards,
Sam
Click to expand...

@ Denom
As Sam contradicts my stand from his expertise, i could certainly have a re-run on what i said.

So, pls certainly audition Klypsch, if it works for you its perfect per the budget you have. Forget Imported or Indian, start auditioning!
Hearing will bring you 'your own' perspective.

Best
 
SAMUEL said:
Hey Sid I'm not contradicting your thoughts:confused:. I'm just sharing my views. If I have knowingly or unknowingly hurt your feelings ,I apologose.
:cheers:
sam
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Absolutely not Sam, i mean what i sayd. I am least experienced on Klipsch for i turned it down the first time i heard it. I believed that for the budget Denom has, Klipsh's segment in that budget isnt that good. I still believe in it ..why? Cause it was the FIRST brand that i went and auditioned when i was to pick speakers. With the music i heard, it sounded not the kind for me. Hence i have an opinion about them ..so when you penned down ur feedback, i assumed that i could certainly be incorrect.

I aint perfect Sam, hence i took your word and shelved my opinion for a while about the brand concerned.

Yet, i like the beer mugs! Keep it flowing brother. Cheers to a good life.
 
@ Sid & Samuel

Its because of this kind of sharing of experience & knowledge of fellow members here that I joined this forum, keep them coming brothers no offence taken from anyone as each has his/her own views & I respect them... I know that ultimately I have to take the call on which speakers are the ONE for me & trust me I will do so shortly & revert with my experiences with the ones i audition. I just want to line up as many as possible, hear them & then decide which works for me...:yahoo:

As for the beers, well that sure needs to keep flowing....:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:
 
denom said:
@ Sid,

Klipsch are a step down, as in??? As long as i get the sound that i need for the budget i have, i could care less if they were indian/imported..... branded/unbranded. labels & big names don't work for me in any aspect of life.... I see plenty of these so called 'label freaks' day in & out who neither have style nor substance.... so thats the bottom line brother!
Click to expand...

I hear you Denom - You probably have the best method in auditioning - what sounds best to you in your budget:thumbsup:. I am sure with this approach you will find what suits your taste best.
Cheers
Sid (the other one:))
 
I own the Cerwin Vega CLS-215s (and a 5.1 Wharfedale system) that cranky heard. I understand that its not his cup of tea, much like more "refined" speakers are not mine. They provide anemic bass that I cannot tolerate regardless of other qualities they may or may not have.

I listen exclusively to electronic music + HT use, perhaps if I enjoyed softer music I might choose different speakers but I can assure the OP that harder music sounds best (IMO) on speakers like the Cerwins or similar. There are plenty of other choices available some which offer both resolution/clarity and SPL, of course they cost a bit of money. I am trying to sell my CVs but I won't sell them for 25k.

FWIW I demoed as many speakers as I could before buying the CVs and none of the other speakers did it for me. If you like hard music its likely you like it loud and most home audio speakers break apart as you push higher. I tried a Jamo D7 Sub as well (to just change subs rather than buy new speakers) which did not please me in the least, distortion was through the roof. I wound up buying the CVs being well aware of what their reputation was, frankly I didn't care because they got the job done where the others failed.

I will offer this advice, listen to speakers because everyone has different tastes and a different hearing curve, it will be difficult to point you to a particular speaker that satisfies you, take in the suggestions and go see what you can hear. Contrary to popular belief there is no "best" speaker just different ones, much like color or flavor.

Vanilla or Chocolate or....? You decide.

Best of Luck.

Edit : I suggest trying out some of the cheaper pro products, they are not "refined" but they do pack a punch, it might suit you, might not. No harm trying.
 
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Decadent_Spectre said:
I own the Cerwin Vega CLS-215s (and a 5.1 Wharfedale system) that cranky heard. I understand that its not his cup of tea, much like more "refined" speakers are not mine. They provide anemic bass that I cannot tolerate regardless of other qualities they may or may not have.

I listen exclusively to electronic music + HT use, perhaps if I enjoyed softer music I might choose different speakers but I can assure the OP that harder music sounds best (IMO) on speakers like the Cerwins or similar. There are plenty of other choices available some which offer both resolution/clarity and SPL, of course they cost a bit of money. I am trying to sell my CVs but I won't sell them for 25k.

FWIW I demoed as many speakers as I could before buying the CVs and none of the other speakers did it for me. If you like hard music its likely you like it loud and most home audio speakers break apart as you push higher. I tried a Jamo D7 Sub as well (to just change subs rather than buy new speakers) which did not please me in the least, distortion was through the roof. I wound up buying the CVs being well aware of what their reputation was, frankly I didn't care because they got the job done where the others failed.

I will offer this advice, listen to speakers because everyone has different tastes and a different hearing curve, it will be difficult to point you to a particular speaker that satisfies you, take in the suggestions and go see what you can hear. Contrary to popular belief there is no "best" speaker just different ones, much like color or flavor.

Vanilla or Chocolate or....? You decide.

Best of Luck.


Edit : I suggest trying out some of the cheaper pro products, they are not "refined" but they do pack a punch, it might suit you, might not. No harm trying.
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So then Decandent, where do I audition these CV-215's in Mumbai??? When & at what price did you purchase them???

Yes, the volume will be cranked up no doubt about that:indifferent14::indifferent14::indifferent14: & I'm sure I will get protests from my neighbours who cry anyway when my friends jam at my place....:p:p:p

I've auditioned a couple of Jamo's & they sounded pure crap to me, with a sub attached then too they did not get me excited.... but then maybe such speakers are not meant to play hard rock/metal..... maybe "refined' or 'audiophiles' speakers are not my 'cup of tea' :ohyeah: if they cannot handle my music....

Have lined up a couple of auditions, will keep all of you posted on the outcome,

Meanwhile keep them suggestions coming....

:beer::cheers::beer:
 
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If you don't enjoy the Jamo sound I find it unlikely that you will appreciate other "Home Audio" brands save JBL/Klipsch and as mentioned Cerwin Vega.

If you can swing it I seriously recommend pro gear if you can live with their degree of clarity/refinement, no home audio speaker can touch the stuff for hard music. For big bucks pro stuff will get you clarity and SPL.

Off the top of my head I have heard stuff from Focal/KEF/Jamo/B&W/Wharfedale/Epos/Elac/DynAudio/Dali and none of them performed.

They may work for you if you do not require SPL, but as soon as you need a lot of volume those brands go out the window.

Have fun at the auditions, do take CDs that you are familiar with, also remember to use CDs for the type of music you will be using the speakers for, its a moot point how well they do with classical if you do not intend on listening to classical.
 
Decadent_Spectre said:
If you don't enjoy the Jamo sound I find it unlikely that you will appreciate other "Home Audio" brands save JBL/Klipsch and as mentioned Cerwin Vega.

If you can swing it I seriously recommend pro gear if you can live with their degree of clarity/refinement, no home audio speaker can touch the stuff for hard music. For big bucks pro stuff will get you clarity and SPL.

Off the top of my head I have heard stuff from Focal/KEF/Jamo/B&W/Wharfedale/Epos/Elac/DynAudio/Dali and none of them performed.

They may work for you if you do not require SPL, but as soon as you need a lot of volume those brands go out the window.

Have fun at the auditions, do take CDs that you are familiar with, also remember to use CDs for the type of music you will be using the speakers for, its a moot point how well they do with classical if you do not intend on listening to classical.
Click to expand...

So basically what your saying is that 'Focal/KEF/Jamo/B&W/Wharfedale/Epos/Elac/DynAudio/Dali' & so on are not for my music......:mad:

I have already prepared a box of CD's that I will taking along, don't you worry!!! As for 'classical', well i do listen to classical but in my case its classical METAL!!! :ohyeah::D:ohyeah:

Just need to work the dates now for auditions.... plus a couple of them dealers have to get the speakers I asked auditions of....:rolleyes:
 
Well they may work for you, I am simply offering my own experience with them. By all means try out as many as possible but for my own tastes they proved extremely inadequate.

Post impressions of all the stuff you hear :)
 
@decadent spectre,

There is nothing like "refined loudspeakers" will not work for heavy metal.

The most refined loudspeakers have the best drivers which have the least dynamic compression / distortion and are integrated very well using expensive crossovers and are housed in well designed inert cabinets.

You will hear what is there in the recording in such loudspeakers.

Speakers like JBL, Cervin vega will give you a more satisfactory "wall of sound" with lot of "bite" and "edginess".

But I agree with you that whatever gives you satisfaction in your budget is the best.
 
denom said:
Since I listen to this genre only, request the knowledgeable folks here to suggest good speakers to listen to this particular genre of music, based on which I will audition them. No surround sound/HT/Etc... speakers please.... just plain old fashioned floor/book shelf speakers....
Click to expand...

Dear,

Try for Mordaunt-Short - Aviano/ Mezzo Floor standers
 
square_wave said:
@decadent spectre,

There is nothing like "refined loudspeakers" will not work for heavy metal.

The most refined loudspeakers have the best drivers which have the least dynamic compression / distortion and are integrated very well using expensive crossovers and are housed in well designed inert cabinets.

You will hear what is there in the recording in such loudspeakers.

Speakers like JBL, Cerwin vega will give you a more satisfactory "wall of sound" with lot of "bite" and "edginess".

But I agree with you that whatever gives you satisfaction in your budget is the best.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean. If you mean refined loudspeakers can be good for heavy metal, I do believe that is personal preference. Personally they don't work for me (for electronic music) at all but I encourage the OP to try as many routes as possible to find what works for him. Regular home audio speakers may work for a lot of things so long as you don't need SPL and when I say SPL I mean 115db + at listening position, 10-20 feet away with low distortion, particularly at 120Hz and below.

IMO refined loudspeakers are better suited to certain types of music, as for the recording I can understand some people would like to hear what was intended however people like sounds that please them and that is not necessarily the sound that the artist intended which is why EQ is often used. If some people like tomato sauce or perhaps even mustard with their dosa do you go and tell them that they should not eat what they like and instead use sambhar/chutney/rasam etc because thats the "original" way?

There are other speakers besides JBL and Cerwin Vega for that "wall of sound" along with greater clarity. The top layer of JBL is actually very good from what I've heard.
 
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@decadent spectre,

When I said, using refined speakers for heavy metal, I did not mean your typical refined speaker with 5.5 inch mid bass units. I am sorry if it came across like that.

There are refined loudspeakers which are designed to work full range. Some may have 10 inch or bigger sized drivers for bass or may have multiple drivers doing bass duty.

The point is that you can get 115db + at listening position, 10-20 feet away with such speakers with very less distortion.

The cheap JBLs and cervin vegas will have TONS of distortion at such SPLS even at 20ft away.

BTW: I am not talking about the high end Jbls which are quite expensive. Moreover, they fall under the refined loudspeaker category.
 
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Decadent_Spectre said:
I'm not sure what you mean. If you mean refined loudspeakers can be good for heavy metal, I do believe that is personal preference. Personally they don't work for me (for electronic music) at all but I encourage the OP to try as many routes as possible to find what works for him. Regular home audio speakers may work for a lot of things so long as you don't need SPL and when I say SPL I mean 115db + at listening position, 10-20 feet away with low distortion, particularly at 120Hz and below.

IMO refined loudspeakers are better suited to certain types of music, as for the recording I can understand some people would like to hear what was intended however people like sounds that please them and that is not necessarily the sound that the artist intended which is why EQ is often used. If some people like tomato sauce or perhaps even mustard with their dosa do you go and tell them that they should not eat what they like and instead use sambhar/chutney/rasam etc because thats the "original" way?

There are other speakers besides JBL and Cerwin Vega for that "wall of sound" along with greater clarity. The top layer of JBL is actually very good from what I've heard.
Click to expand...

Interesting opinion... its like you being quite okay about buying a expensive painting like, say, Mona Lisa, and then deciding to give her a bigger smile because thats the way you prefer it... . But, would it still remain the artists vision? Or would it be marred by yours?

Dude, even preferring to put ketchup on your daily food is very different from insulting the chef by adding condiments to his (chefs) finely prepared delicacy...

You might wanna chew on this a bit....

Also, I listen to a lot of rock on what is being called 'refined' speakers / music systems... and it sounds outta the world. No compromises on the bass, treble etc. If you're in Mumbai, allow me to give you a super experience!
 
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Denom, I had similar choice in music when I started out not so long ago (I still do to some extent). In the budget range, I checked all the usual suspects and like I mentioned in my last post in this thread, PSB and MA were the ones that were doing justice to Dream Theater and Maiden. Do check them out.

Wharfies (8.4) felt like they would fall apart if I played the music long enough (though now I suspect it was more the room with one side made of glass that was the culprit).

Quad 11L sounded very good with rock (Led Zep, The Who) and just a shade below par on metal. But do check them, they have the classic brit sound.

The mordaunt-short I tried was a bit laid back and so was Acoustic Energey Evo 3.

Kef, again sounded good with rock, better with jazz...very smooth with incredible mids but not so good with metal. (I eventually ended up with Kef Coda 90)

hey! just recalled, Epos M22 rocked! you should add this to your list. I guess they now have the newer version of this.

If you can up the budget, take a look at ProAc and ATC if you can lay your eyes on one. ATC SCM 40 is one of the best I've heard for heavy music.

I've not heard Dynaudio with heavy music but I'm told they do rock pretty hard.

hope this helps :cheers:
 
audio_engr said:
hehe!! these would coolly play your stuff and would instigate you to keep cranking the listening levels - since the louder you go, the better the tri-amped ATCs will sound. One hell of a speaker/amp system with dynamics that will drop your jaw!! And BTW - they do move serious "air in your room"...

IMO -real ATC signature starts at SCM-50 onwards...
Click to expand...

And also warrant strong muscles while u move around and position them best in ur room. The beasts are 68 kgs a piece ! ..this is definitely a 'Heavy' Metal speaker.

@ AE
What price range these be in India?
Too bassy? Boomy? Only good for Rock/Metal/Pop?
 
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