which speaker is better suited for Rock and Roll

@lonemountain - 

You bring up an interesting point.  I forget that Focal makes an entirely different set of powered speakers for the pro world that are pretty reasonably priced.  Anyone who likes Focal and is active-curious should check out their pro line. 

I've not heard them, by the way, but if memory serves they were about 10x cheaper than Focal's current home powered line. 

Congrats, Sonus Faber does require us to take a deep breath and just do it! Maybe, hopefully one day I’ll work up the courage to buy a pair. That the room, components and speakers are all playing well together is great. Enjoy

Steve,thanks much. Every time I use the Guarneri's  G5 I am so impressed. How, for their size they can do what they do. Just doesn't seem possible.  Just had my 73rd and stated to myself (to justify cost) you can't take it with you. 

     When was the last time you saw a u haul following a funeral procession?

Lots of good speakers for rock. After 40 years as an audio nerd, I do have a definitive answer for this question.

JBL M2

That’s the answer.

They also might be the best for just about everything else. 

How you get there... is up to you.  But you can do it for under 12k, maybe 10k if you shop smart.

Find a used pair of M2’s, get a BSS-Blu 50 used to run the crossover.

preamp/streamer/dac of choice and budget, a reasonably powered 4 channel amp.

Takes a little time to set-up.

Dynamics, bass, clean, crazy spl if you want it, all for a "reasonable" price. 

The active ATC’s are awfully good also, but the bigger ones that will give you the low end are really expensive.

I've always pined for SF, but I see their price tag and I hear my dad's voice in my head. I've always compromised to quiet that side of my brain, but if I can ever move my DSP's I'm finally gonna scratch that itch.