I was at a wedding last Tuesday (Sept. 5th) where the DJ used QSC k8.2 10" speakers.
The DJ cranked out lots of dB through them ... easily heard music across a small lake (100 yards?).
That was impressive.  He didn't have a sub with them and I was surprised by
how well they handled the lower frequencies (from across the lake when
DJ first started w/ music I assumed there was a sub).

For the reception party, lots of dB (more than you'd typically use at a
regular contra dance and DJ had the two speakers some 5' separation
pointing towards hall (from outside deck) in a way that would introduce phase issues.
(one behind the other by 5')

I had the distinct sense that I was listening to music over speakers.
i.e. they were not transparent ...
Not terrible but not great.  I do not know whether that was due to
    speakers damaged from high dB party after party
    speakers too loud introducing bad sound
    other elements in sound chain introducing bad sound
    phase issues from bad alignment of speakers w/o delay

I've been using RCF TT 08A ii speakers with a RCF TT 12" sub
(as noted by another ... 8" won't push out low end well) for
a ridiculously clean sound that doesn't scream "I AM A SPEAKER" for
small to medium sized spaces (not large gym ... bump up for that).
Mentioning because they're 8" for my mains and I'm happy.
I use the words "nuanced", "transparent" and "clean" for what I go for.
But that's over $5K worth of speakers without my TT 051A center fill.
So out of the budget for most.

Heitzso