Can't find my old post.
Anyway, are there some small or bookshelf type speakers that can handle some pretty crazy metal without taking a dump?

Bose acoustimass, decent for the price IMO.

How small? Bookshelf size or you talking small cubes?

Depends on budget.

But I have 3 bookshelves that I really like.

RSL CG4s.  These speakers are amazing for the money.  They could easily sell for 2 or 3 times their price.  And the guys at RSL (Roger and his son) are always accessible by phone for help/assistance.  (The CG3s were just released but I haven't personally heard them yet.  They are considerably cheaper than the 4s.)

Elac UB5s would be another option in this price range.


But if you can swing the extra green, GoldenEar Aon 3s.  They are incredible speakers that can keep up with most floor standing speakers.   I have (4) Aon 3s that I used as surrounds in my 7.1 setup.  But they absolutely crush it with multichannel music (5.1 and quad.)  

When I demo'd them, I did so in a 2 channel setup and was absolutely mesmerized by their sound.  I demo'd them with  Floyd and Maiden.  I see no reason they can't handle the heavy lifting of most metal tracks.  

One thing I'll say on any of the bookshelf speakers Ive demo'd or have.  They sound best wide apart and away from the wall.  If you stuff the bookshelfs in, well, a bookshelf or up against the wall--the sound will suffer.  If you pull them away from wall by about a foot or more, they sound/imaging really opens up.

Your budget?

NHT Classic 3s.