Hopefully I don't get roasted for this one...
I currently have a pair of Klipsch Forte III's that have served well for my purposes. After some comments to
a post I made recently, I'm considering upgrading them, specifically with active speakers - if I can find a pair that fit my needs. I have fairly particular listening habits that occasionally involve very high output levels (please see below).
** My first pair of speakers were LS50's (rated at 106 dB). They sounded incredible (much better than the Fortes), but they were categorically not loud enough (I fed them 300W from a Peachtree Nova and blew out
both drivers - it was a learning experience). I like the idea of the new LS60 wireless, but with a rating of 111 dB I don't know if that will be enough of an improvement. Are there other actives I should consider?
FWIW, I will be adding two Rythmik F12's soon, and high pass the mains.
Backup question: if there aren't actives that fit the bill, what passives might be a good choice? I'm tempted to splurge on a pair of used Reference 5's (non-Meta; 116 dB I think) which would hopefully be the last speaker upgrade I make for a long time. Obviously, I would be absolutely certain to not make the same mistake I did with the LS50's.
**So as not to be mistaken for a college kid throwing parties, I should elaborate... I generally lie on the floor or couch, eyes closed, with the music loud enough to nearly block all other sensory perception. It's a stimming thing and it helps me stay grounded and present. SQ is important, and minimizing distortion is critical as it's a distraction that takes me out of the moment. I don't know what the dB actually are when I listen, but 'EDM concert level' sounds about right (it usually ramps up over the session, and I'm guessing it peaks a little over 100 dB? I really don't know). Most would probably consider the volume either uncomfortable or simply obnoxious. I limit sessions to 20-30 minutes for a couple of obvious reasons.
Idk. Maybe this is a situation where horn-loaded Klipsch speakers are the best choice.
As you discovered, the LS50's can't handle even close to 106db output in the bass region and
mind you that rating is for SPL levels at just 1meter.
I don't know how big your room is, mine would drop that SPL about 10-12db based off listening distance and then add a few DB back in for various amounts of room gain.
The woofer is small 5.25" with extra carved out for the tweeter waveguide and a very normal( in other words, limited Xmax).
The speaker was likely distorting to high h$ll before they blew so keep that in mind for various reasons.
I don't think the LS50 can play anything below 300hrz at 106 @12feet/3.7meters which is my set-up size. It might not handle anything at all except very brief peaks at that SPL/distance.
I bring this up as the speaker IS capable of much higher output when used in tandem with powered subwoofers and high pass filter on the LS50's to remove the bass. Basically the higher you cross them the more they can output.
A 55hrz crossover is the minimum for any sort of higher SPL but for very loud it is not enough. (even when using full range I have no idea how anyone at all uses these without such a high pass as they not capable of any bass levels below about 60hrz in decently sized room in the farfield, nothing -- it is really just distortion below 55-60hrz)
So anyway, if you crossed them 125-175hrz LR4, to dual subs you could have a very high SPL capable speaker. It will still not compete with pro gear or high SPL horn loaded designs but they can play very loudly(- essentially making a three way speaker. Even just Plop the LS50's down on the Subwoofers to look just like some 3way designs out there. )
This could be done with many 2 way speakers.
The main limitation typically is can the tweeter handle the power as some systems that are designed for less than high SPL use either a cheap tweeter or crossover point that is low for high SPL for said tweeter.
The difference with active speakers is that even when crossed/high passed the internal amps may just not have enough power. Some designs were never intended for high output at farfield distances.
You ought to be measuring your SPL levels. Since you did not hear the LS50 woofers giving out that might be a bad sign for your hearing. ( possibly there was little indication, but I would start checking your levels) Especially as low distortion design sgive much less indication of the actual SPL. Some sound so clean you don't realize the SPL until you try and talk and it is just mouths moving and noting else below the SPL of the audio.
I have several speakers here(and have had others) that are 2-way monitors that can play louder with more ease than the LS50metas when high passed properly.
For high output levels, nearly all 5/5.25" woofers need to be crossed at 125 or higher and nearly any 6/6.5" at 90-120hrz.
You can get by with 90-100 for a 5" and 70-80hrz for a 6.5" if the high output levels are happening in a smaller sized room.(or even lower if the room is very small)
When crossed at 125hrz even the budget priced JBL 530 can easily out play the KEF at extreme volumes. Right now when I really want loud, I would set -up my JBL 4309's crossed at 90hrz LR4 to several subwoofers. They can handle extremely high SPL with no sign at all of any strain. These speakers also sound quite refined despite the published issues in the frequency response. There is zero chance I would chose the LS50meta's over them and I have both sets of speakers here.
Sticking with smaller than floor stander you could Try Tekton Impact Monitors.
Check out Arendal's 2 woofer monitors.
You could also try the JBL L100 which I am told can handle astonishing SPL levels and sound very good in the process.
I am told the JBL 4349 can play so loudly it is silly and yet for the genre (horn/waveguided loaded tanks) are superbly refined sounding, much more than the Klipsch set you have.
Active wise, I believe the JBL 708p is known for high out capability. I am sure the big Genelec's can do it as long as they are high passed at least out of the lowest bass. Just stick to systems known for high output levels in the farfield.
Anyway you are going to add subs but keep in mind that if you do cross any speakers in above about 100hrz that you need to set things up appropriately for that type of arrangement.