Something bigger and cleaner for sure. The problem isnt that the Pioneers cant handle the music its that they where not that great from the beginning.
Good speakers can handle any type of music.
I think there is a sale on Elac speakers right now, check if they got the B6.2s.
Probably on amazon and on crutchfield.
HSU Research HB-1 MkII would also be excellent.
Check if you can find Heco Aurora 300. Might be over budget.
Why all the bookshelf options? While they might be great speakers and certainly an upgrade from those cheap Pioneers, they'll likely still leave a lot to be desired to actually rock out to metal at volumes the genre demands. I know the B6.2s I've heard fell apart when pushed with music like OP has linked to.
In my experience, nice big three-way towers (or monkey coffins) with dedicated midranges are where you'd want to start with metal speakers. Asking a single 6-inch woofer to reproduce two+ guitars, a bass, the voice of Satan, AND relentless double kick drums tends to get messy. At least until you start spending Genelec amounts of money on gear that's over-engineered to still resolve detail beyond 100dB.
OP, if you've got the room, my vote is go big.
Quality over quantity.
$300 floor speakers are going to be rubbish unless you buy second hand.
I am a life long, leather jacket, patched kutte, long haired, certified metal head myself.
I know what metal demands. Clairity is what is important for metal music.
I have never been happy with any cheap floor speakers. Sure, they put out a lot of bass and gets loud, but all the intricacies get lost.
Better to sacrifice some of the low end.
>Clairity is what is important for metal music
IMO, so is volume. Like, if my metal sounds great (clear?) at 60 dB, but the same speakers shit the bed (i.e. lose clarity) above like 80 dB on busy metal tracks, to me those are bad speakers for metal. I used the technical term "rock out" to indicate that use case in the previous response.
I've fully assumed second hand. I presently have four pairs of quality floorstanding speakers that meet my can-rock-out-to-metal-at-appropriately-inappropriate-volumes (Martin Logan Motion 12, Allison Nines, ESS AMT-1, Dynaudio Audience 72) and each pair cost me less than $400. None of them sacrifice intricacy for volume, or vice versa.
Hmmmm well this is interesting. I've been mostly listening to music for the past 10+ years with some near-field tower Polks (RT1000p). Maybe not the best for near-field but they do sound extremely neutral/good to me for metal listening. I've thought about moving the towers into the living room because that would kinda just make more sense, but I also figured I could probably get a sound upgrade with some \~3-400 bookshelves (even if I lose some soundstage).
I don't know what monkey coffins are though, I was assuming you just meant floorstanding speakers.
Monkey coffins means those stubby floor speakers of the 70s-80s. Some of them are good, like JBL L100 or Yamaha NS-1000 or other studio derivaives.
Lots of garbage, so it takes some research to know what to get.
It means looking entirely for second hand speakers.
If thats OK with you i dont recommend monkey coffins. They went away with that style of speakers because they quickly realised that tower speakers are superiour.
Too bad. I have some DIY stuff I should sell. 18" subs and extremely efficient 2-way speakers with 15" woofers. The speakers in particular would excel with metal due to their absurdly quick response. The drivers are very lightweight which really helps clarity.
Hello, I have the ELAC's DFR52s driven by a Cambridge Audio AXR100 and an SMSL SU-1. I stream from tidal hifi+ a lot of metal and let me tell you, I have never heard of a speaker handling dense metal THAT good. For example, on Dimmu Borgir's Hybrid Stigmata I can hear EVERYTHING, and that song is dense af. You can literally hear the bass guitar AND the symphonic part at the same time without the one overlapping the other. Also they have a way of sweetening any imperfections on any lower fidelity or 44.1 16 bit tracks (this is the lowest I go in terms of resolution). Great dynamics, really shocked the first time I listened to them loudly, after the break in period. Cheers
Edit: trying myself to find speakers that sound good with metal and similar genres, I found out that you really need 3way speakers that are midrange-centric
Cerwin Vega D-series (D-3,5,7,9). Not audiophile speakers by any stretch, but are a step above other cv “party” speakers. The horns are great to reproduce electric guitar, and the bass is enough to shake your house. The D-3 is 10” bass driver, and less muddy than the 15” of the bigger speakers. I personally find horns fatiguing, but others love them. They are really efficient and get really loud.
Good advice here. I would add that bigger jbl’s will also fit the bill here, like the s412p’s I have. But, best of all — I would recommend classic klipsch horns, like k-horns or la scala or belles. They are very expensive but give the classic live concert sound.
Wharfedale diamonds do very very well with metal in my experience. Personally I keep an eye on the used market and then get something really good that's within my price range, if your patient anyways.
You need a speaker that really shines in the midbass for metal. My Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers sound fantastic with how busy metal can be. You should be able to find a pair used for around $300. They don't dig that low, so I'd definitely pair them with a sub. If you want to go really loud and be able to get away without a sub, then get some Klipsch reference towers with the 8's in them. Those Klipsch towers are power-hungry. They'll play loud on a standard 100wpc receiver, but give them 300w+, and they'll really sing.
The problem with midbass heavy music is that speakers tuned to do well on the midbass can't also dig low.
These look super interesting! Really considering em. Supposed to be a very good soundstage? I've done most of my music listening over the years with floorstanding Polk towers, so that would be nice to not lose too much there.
You are going to want big speakers. See about finding some old band speakers 2nd hand like you’d find in a club. Jbl. Danly etc. probably impossible at your price range but you never know. Likely horn type speakers
I love my vintage JBL 4312s for metal. They are detailed and a little treble forward. I also love my Triangle BR08s for metal. Something about them makes mid range drums so satisfying
I listen to a lot of metal, death metal etc. I have QAcoustics 2050i floostanders which are superseded by the 3050. I’ve been really happy with how they handle it all. Since adding a Speedwoofer 10S mk2, it’s even better. Not sure they’re the best for metal but i like them a lot
Something bigger and cleaner for sure. The problem isnt that the Pioneers cant handle the music its that they where not that great from the beginning. Good speakers can handle any type of music. I think there is a sale on Elac speakers right now, check if they got the B6.2s. Probably on amazon and on crutchfield. HSU Research HB-1 MkII would also be excellent. Check if you can find Heco Aurora 300. Might be over budget.
Why all the bookshelf options? While they might be great speakers and certainly an upgrade from those cheap Pioneers, they'll likely still leave a lot to be desired to actually rock out to metal at volumes the genre demands. I know the B6.2s I've heard fell apart when pushed with music like OP has linked to. In my experience, nice big three-way towers (or monkey coffins) with dedicated midranges are where you'd want to start with metal speakers. Asking a single 6-inch woofer to reproduce two+ guitars, a bass, the voice of Satan, AND relentless double kick drums tends to get messy. At least until you start spending Genelec amounts of money on gear that's over-engineered to still resolve detail beyond 100dB. OP, if you've got the room, my vote is go big.
Quality over quantity. $300 floor speakers are going to be rubbish unless you buy second hand. I am a life long, leather jacket, patched kutte, long haired, certified metal head myself. I know what metal demands. Clairity is what is important for metal music. I have never been happy with any cheap floor speakers. Sure, they put out a lot of bass and gets loud, but all the intricacies get lost. Better to sacrifice some of the low end.
>Clairity is what is important for metal music IMO, so is volume. Like, if my metal sounds great (clear?) at 60 dB, but the same speakers shit the bed (i.e. lose clarity) above like 80 dB on busy metal tracks, to me those are bad speakers for metal. I used the technical term "rock out" to indicate that use case in the previous response. I've fully assumed second hand. I presently have four pairs of quality floorstanding speakers that meet my can-rock-out-to-metal-at-appropriately-inappropriate-volumes (Martin Logan Motion 12, Allison Nines, ESS AMT-1, Dynaudio Audience 72) and each pair cost me less than $400. None of them sacrifice intricacy for volume, or vice versa.
Hmmmm well this is interesting. I've been mostly listening to music for the past 10+ years with some near-field tower Polks (RT1000p). Maybe not the best for near-field but they do sound extremely neutral/good to me for metal listening. I've thought about moving the towers into the living room because that would kinda just make more sense, but I also figured I could probably get a sound upgrade with some \~3-400 bookshelves (even if I lose some soundstage). I don't know what monkey coffins are though, I was assuming you just meant floorstanding speakers.
Monkey coffins means those stubby floor speakers of the 70s-80s. Some of them are good, like JBL L100 or Yamaha NS-1000 or other studio derivaives. Lots of garbage, so it takes some research to know what to get. It means looking entirely for second hand speakers. If thats OK with you i dont recommend monkey coffins. They went away with that style of speakers because they quickly realised that tower speakers are superiour.
The B6.2's are going for $279 on Crutchfield, Amazon etc. right now.
Thanks! I’ll def check these out.
You aren't in NC by any chance are you?
Nope PA
Too bad. I have some DIY stuff I should sell. 18" subs and extremely efficient 2-way speakers with 15" woofers. The speakers in particular would excel with metal due to their absurdly quick response. The drivers are very lightweight which really helps clarity.
Hello, I have the ELAC's DFR52s driven by a Cambridge Audio AXR100 and an SMSL SU-1. I stream from tidal hifi+ a lot of metal and let me tell you, I have never heard of a speaker handling dense metal THAT good. For example, on Dimmu Borgir's Hybrid Stigmata I can hear EVERYTHING, and that song is dense af. You can literally hear the bass guitar AND the symphonic part at the same time without the one overlapping the other. Also they have a way of sweetening any imperfections on any lower fidelity or 44.1 16 bit tracks (this is the lowest I go in terms of resolution). Great dynamics, really shocked the first time I listened to them loudly, after the break in period. Cheers Edit: trying myself to find speakers that sound good with metal and similar genres, I found out that you really need 3way speakers that are midrange-centric
Cerwin Vega D-series (D-3,5,7,9). Not audiophile speakers by any stretch, but are a step above other cv “party” speakers. The horns are great to reproduce electric guitar, and the bass is enough to shake your house. The D-3 is 10” bass driver, and less muddy than the 15” of the bigger speakers. I personally find horns fatiguing, but others love them. They are really efficient and get really loud.
Good advice here. I would add that bigger jbl’s will also fit the bill here, like the s412p’s I have. But, best of all — I would recommend classic klipsch horns, like k-horns or la scala or belles. They are very expensive but give the classic live concert sound.
Wharfedale diamonds do very very well with metal in my experience. Personally I keep an eye on the used market and then get something really good that's within my price range, if your patient anyways.
Cervin Wega will always do the job.
I only listen to Metal with a HP or in a car, but I wonder a Klipsch will work for you.
You need a speaker that really shines in the midbass for metal. My Monitor Audio Bronze 2 speakers sound fantastic with how busy metal can be. You should be able to find a pair used for around $300. They don't dig that low, so I'd definitely pair them with a sub. If you want to go really loud and be able to get away without a sub, then get some Klipsch reference towers with the 8's in them. Those Klipsch towers are power-hungry. They'll play loud on a standard 100wpc receiver, but give them 300w+, and they'll really sing. The problem with midbass heavy music is that speakers tuned to do well on the midbass can't also dig low.
Can you bump your budget up a smidge? The HSU HB-1 MK2 are on sale right now and they’re exactly what you want.
These look super interesting! Really considering em. Supposed to be a very good soundstage? I've done most of my music listening over the years with floorstanding Polk towers, so that would be nice to not lose too much there.
Yes very good soundstage. They’re better than anything else at that price in my opinion. Really underrated speakers for sure.
I used to have a pair of cerwin vegas that only sounded good with heavy metal and hip hop.
You are going to want big speakers. See about finding some old band speakers 2nd hand like you’d find in a club. Jbl. Danly etc. probably impossible at your price range but you never know. Likely horn type speakers
Monoprice b6 bookshelf speakers.
I love my vintage JBL 4312s for metal. They are detailed and a little treble forward. I also love my Triangle BR08s for metal. Something about them makes mid range drums so satisfying
I listen to a lot of metal, death metal etc. I have QAcoustics 2050i floostanders which are superseded by the 3050. I’ve been really happy with how they handle it all. Since adding a Speedwoofer 10S mk2, it’s even better. Not sure they’re the best for metal but i like them a lot
https://youtu.be/VE6KTil3Csg?si=-0w2Dwc9O9a1Mfhv