High sensitivity (99) with mid powered (50 to 100 wpc/tube) amps?


Sorry: my thread title should have read "high sensitivity speakers with mid powered tube amps?"

Are there draw backs or ramifications to running a pair of speakers which list the sensitivity at 99 with amps producing 50 wpc? (Specifically I was looking at a pair of open box KLIPSCH - Forte IV) and specifically I would be driving them with a Cary V12 rated at 50 wpc in triode and 100 wpc in ultralinear. (I know that I have the power to drive them, but I am thinking that they are usually paired with lower powered, such as SET, amps, and I was wondering if they might not be suitable to be paired with a beefier push pull amp.)

What interests me about these speakers in that they seems relatively small (HWD:: 35.75" x 16.63" x 13") and they would be near-field in a quite small room. Would they be a good speaker for near field? (I note that they are pretty low to the ground, tweeter wise) Also I note that they are biwireable, so I could continue to use my current runs of shotgun biwirie.

Also, are the diaphragm compression driver that they list what is also known as horns? And as it is a 3-way speaker with 12" LF drivers, I was thinking that I could retire my ancient sub.

Doing some reading/searches through posts & users say close to the wall is okay (my B&W 805s are close to 4 feet from wall) so that & no sub would make my small room bigger. Is there an "in your face shout" from horn drivers?

Thanks in advance for any input on this.

immatthewj

Showing 2 responses by hilde45

I have been investigating this too — I have Quicksilver Mono 60's (25wpc and up, depending on output tubes) and am looking at Forte IV's and Cornwall's.

All I've heard from folks (including on Klipsch forum, which the OP should check out) is mid-powered tube amps sound just lovely with sensitive speakers. Indeed, a buddy of mine who has very sensitive wide baffle speakers (not Klipsch) runs things as low as 8 wpc up to 75 wpc and the speakers always sound great.