Great, Big Stereo System for Rock/ Metal?

[ecnal]

I'd like to hear some recommendations for a great rock/metal stereo setup; big watts, big speakers, great sound. I'm not an audiophile but like the way metal vocals, guitar, bass, and drums can sound through a good setup; in other words, loud is not the only factor, and in fact I'll be playing it softly from time to time and maybe some wife-music every now and then.

It will go in a large family-type room with high ceilings and an open loft area. I figure I need a couple tower speakers; I'm not opposed to a sub.

Only requirement is that it sounds great but can do that loud, detailed face-searing, guitar-oriented sound.

I have a McIntosh system in a car that seems decent, and some Paradigm/Anthem home theater stuff that seems good, and have admired B&W from afar, so I'm open to those brands. I just don't know who does the old-school rock thing the best. (And I can't figure out what system Jesse just bought on Breaking Bad.)

I just want someone to say "here's what you need" so I don't have to keep wading, confused, through the huge amount of info out there. I'd prefer to purchase it online as opposed to driving all over for a painful audition process; a lot of the stuff I tend to like isn't always widely available in stores anyway (like Hamer!).

Thanks for any help!

[ecnal]

I hooked up the Emotiva amp, preamp, and cd player to the Triton Twos last night! They sound really great and plenty loud. Thanks JohnnyB and everyone.

As far as an audiophile review, I'm not a super critical listener, but the speakers "image" really well, have plenty of bass, and bring out details I hadn't previously noticed. These speakers seem like they would be great with a home theater too. Also, I have never seen a more well-packed product, which was a nice change from the 4 trashed cerwin vegas I got.

[JohnnyB]

As far as an audiophile review, I'm not a super critical listener, but the speakers "image" really well, have plenty of bass, and bring out details I hadn't previously noticed.

Most people think they don't hear well enough to notice the difference. I say that once they've been exposed to what high-res audio can do they can hear the differences just fine.

If you think the detail and imaging on these speakers is good now, wait until they break in.

What are you using for interconnects and speaker cables?

These speakers seem like they would be great with a home theater too.

GoldenEar would agree with you.

Home theater requires broad dynamic range for dialog and sound effects, and outstanding speed and clarity especially for dialog. The same traits translate well to music reproduction. I heard the Triton 2's in a music context but they're definitely a great way to go for HT as well.

[ecnal]

What are you using for interconnects and speaker cables?

I'm using speaker cables and RCA I bought from Emotiva; really heavy stuff that feels and looks high-quality.

[JohnnyB]

What are you using for interconnects and speaker cables?

I'm using speaker cables and RCA I bought from Emotiva; really heavy stuff that feels and looks high-quality.

Good choice! Good designs, high build quality, reasonable prices, and from the same source as the electronics.

[Mitch]

Have Klipsch lost their reputation for moving air?

[django49]

Have Klipsch lost their reputation for moving air?

Had a pair of those big corner horns for years......The better half HATED them.....(They replaced an older well beat up pair of LaScalas that had been used in a band's PA system that she hated even more)......Would walk into the living room backwards to avoid looking at them. Of course the 12 guitars and multiple amps in the room were on the same list.

Well. we moved, the big speakers are gone, there are fewer instruments than before (and there is a separate room to house them).

Gone but not forgotten. I LOVED those Klipsch speakers. Very efficient and an obviously big sound. No doubt a lot of people can say why they are not the best. To me the performer was in the room in (sorta) surround and with a lot of detail.

Once had thoughts about getting even more of them to create a really big sounding surround system. Quickly decided there was not much to be gained by trying THAT. Well, we ARE still married.

Still does not understand why a person needs more than one guitar......

[ecnal]

Have Klipsch lost their reputation for moving air?

Had a pair of those big corner horns for years......The better half HATED them.....(They replaced an older well beat up pair of LaScalas that had been used in a band's PA system that she hated even more)......Would walk into the living room backwards to avoid looking at them. Of course the 12 guitars and multiple amps in the room were on the same list.

Well. we moved, the big speakers are gone, there are fewer instruments than before (and there is a separate room to house them).

Gone but not forgotten. I LOVED those Klipsch speakers. Very efficient and an obviously big sound. No doubt a lot of people can say why they are not the best. To me the performer was in the room in (sorta) surround and with a lot of detail.

Once had thoughts about getting even more of them to create a really big sounding surround system. Quickly decided there was not much to be gained by trying THAT. Well, we ARE still married.

Still does not understand why a person needs more than one guitar......

I might get some questioning as to why the speakers need to be 2' out from the wall and angled in, instead of just shoved back out of the way behind a curtain or something!

[JohnnyB]

Have Klipsch lost their reputation for moving air?

Not at all. They're also still good at moving product. They are one of the bigger loudspeaker fish, having bought Jamo, Energy, and Mirage loudspeakers. They brought back all their old classics to create their Heritage line, including the Klipschorn corner horns mentioned by django49 (left). A couple years ago their new $20K/pair flagship, the Palladium P-39F (right), was Stereophile's cover story and featured review.

Although not quite as sensitive as the legendary Klipschorn's 105dB (at 1w input), the P-39F is no slouch at 99dB. With horn-loaded midrange and tweeter and three woofers making 99dB at 1 watt input, yes, they can move some air. Klipsch has one of the broadest product lines out there. You might enjoy surfing through their website.

Had a pair of those big corner horns for years...Gone but not forgotten. I LOVED those Klipsch speakers. Very efficient and an obviously big sound. No doubt a lot of people can say why they are not the best. To me the performer was in the room in (sorta) surround and with a lot of detail.

The original Klipschorns still do things right that are elusive to other speaker designs. Horn loading has made somewhat of a comeback. You are right about how the original Klipsches put the performers in the room. Horn-loading reduces the amount of excursion demanded of the drivers, reducing the distortions of diaphragms rippling under stress and other non-linearities. The maximum woofer excursion of the Klipschorn is 1/16" of an inch, miniscule by today's standards. Horn-loaded midranges and tweeters have a speed and immediacy that translates into sounding real in a way that traditional cones and domes struggle to emulate. Your love of the Klipschorn and La Scala is well-founded.

[ecnal]

Okay, paging JohnnyB or some of the audio experts: what's the best way to hook an iPod or iPhone to my system? I guess I need a stereo headphone to RCA cable; didn't know if any cables out there were better than others.

[JohnnyB]

I might get some questioning as to why the speakers need to be 2' out from the wall and angled in, instead of just shoved back out of the way behind a curtain or something!

I hope you can spare at least 2 feet between the speakers and the back wall, and yes, you'll get a better stereo image if the speakers are angled in a bit. The GoldenEars are capable of throwing a lifelike holographic soundstage, but to do so, the speakers have to be out from the walls or they'll dilute the imaging. Also, it'll be much easier to get a good bass balance (and cleaner bass) if the speakers are out from the room boundaries, which could give you too much bass.

Okay, paging JohnnyB or some of the audio experts: what's the best way to hook an iPod or iPhone to my system? I guess I need a stereo headphone to RCA cable; didn't know if any cables out there were better than others.

As with anything else, some iPod adapter cables are better than others. My absolute favorite for the money is the Zu Mission iPod Cable available through Zu's eBay storefront. These are made to compete with $150-200 cables but are marketed at a fraction of that price on eBay auctions.

Another high quality/high value source is Ram Electronics. You'll see that they have a wide variety of cables and lengths, including some that link the dock pinouts to RCA cables. This bypasses the op-amp volume circuit in the headphone jack. They even make versions that also break out the USB so you can keep your iPod charging while you tap the analog audio outputs. They also make mini-to-RCA plugs.

That said, I have both kinds and iPod-sourced music sounds better through the Zu Mission cables, no question.

[Armitage]

I hooked up the Emotiva amp, preamp, and cd player to the Triton Twos last night! They sound really great and plenty loud. Thanks JohnnyB and everyone.

That's a pretty serious system you've got there now, enjoy! Most people never get into that league.

I hope you're not using a $25 Wal-Mart CD player! Or did you get an Emotiva one too? I haven't heard one yet...

By the way, just remember that with any system with plug-in (110v) speakers, sub woofers or projectors... that they need their own surge suppression. I can't tell you how many times I see guys with zillion dollar setups and huge expensive surge suppressors... (banks and banks of them) and a sub pluged into the wall unprotected. While some subs are properly isolated inside, the vast majority aren't. So the surge would hit the sub, then go kill their other gear.

Your Emotiva amp on the other hand, is properly isolated and has it's own S.S., and doesn't need to be plugged into a S.S. at all. The worst thing you can do for a big dynamic amp like that (well not the worst) is plug it into a really really expensive "voltage controlled" surge unit (cheaper MOV based ones, between $200-500, are fine). The really expensive ones (generally $700+) that control voltage changes, by default control current changes, and big amps gulp current. Bang Bang Bang... Even lesser quality amps with poor power supplies (small caps) quickly slam current, and heck, they don't need anything else limiting their peak output. Current is much more important than voltage to an amp.

Every year "voltage controlled" surge units get better... but I haven't seen one yet that doesn't limit needed current surges. Plug everything else into a surge unit though, big amps like your Emotiva are a rare case being isolated (notice the two prong plug) and protected so well.

Also remember though, that the cheaper MOV based ones have a limited life, they take only so many hits before they fail, though they may also last you a lifetime depending on your power situation. The under $200 ones are worthless, many times they literally blow up when they fail or don't notify you if/when they do. That's another reason to have a Whole House surge suppressor on your electrical panel. They're cheap ($80-$200), they take a lot of hits, they take them first (so your more dainty ones don't even see it), they take the house generated spikes (fridge, air conditioner, furnace) etc., they're sacrificial and cheap to replace and they notify you if they ever fail (usually a buzzer). So not only do Whole House surge suppressors protect your clock radios, microwave/dryer/stove and everything else you never thought of, they also protect your other specialized and more expensive surge units.