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Seeking speakers under $3K for 10x12 ft room and driven by 20wpc tube amp

I currently have a pair of Apogee Acoustics Centaur Minors driven by a new Black Ice integrated tube amp. The small but dedicated listening room means I’m doing near-field listening with me and the speakers forming a 6’ triangle. As you might expect, these speakers have terrific midrange but at 85dB sensitivity they are a bit difficult to drive and feel limited in dynamics. The room is acoustically treated.


I almost exclusively listen to small combo acoustic jazz and vocals and I’m seeking recommendations for something easier to drive and more dynamic that provides a more “palpable presence” of the musicians when played at louder levels. Prefer small floorstanders for aesthetics but not essential and preferably a brand where I might have a chance to audition them (I’m in SoCal). Also open to used (e.g. something like Wilson Cubs). TIA!

p.s. thanks for the Sonus faber suggestion.

ristretto
joscow
48 posts
 

Hi, I listen exclusively to small combo jazz and vocals using KEF R5 floorstanding speakers. I have a slightly larger room than your 15 x 27. Love the KEF sound. This is my second pair of KEF floor standing. The new Meta series offer excellnet sound in floor standing for a reason price. In my setup, my speakers have great sound stage, warm presentation, surprising tight bass with the vocal clarity that I like. Give them a listen. Tubes should be good with them. My electronics are solid state. Joseph    

russbutton's avatar
russbutton
443 posts
 

For $3k, you could build a set of SEAS Thor loudspeakers.  Get the kit from Madisound.  Theyʻre roughly equivalent to the Joseph Audio Perspective ($14k).  Designed by Joe DʻAppolito.

kennyc
1,654 posts
 

GoldenEar Tritons

abd1
158 posts
 

I’m listening to Fritz Carrera 7 BE’s with a Pimaluna Evo300 amp and it’s a great match. Highly recommended for your situation. Can usually find these used for under $3k. 

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
576 posts
 

Monitor Audio Silver 300 7G Loudspeakers. $2600/pr.They work incredibly well in smaller rooms. The dual rear ports allow fine tuning for your room. The rear driver mounting setup bolts also allows tuning the cabinet to your taste. But don’t take my word for it. Take theirs:

- The Absolute Sound Editors Choice 2025

- The Absolute Sound Editors Choice 2024

- The Absolute Sound Editors Choice 2022

- Audio Test Magazin and Like HiFi Editors Choice and Product of the Year 2024 award (In a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos setup}

- Sound Stage Reviewers Choice 2022

- StereoNet Applause Award 2022

Stereophile also rated the Silver 500 7G (same speaker w/ 2X8" woofers and larger cabinet) as one of the very few Class A speakers under 10,000 per pair. They cost $3500.The reviewer thought that was per speaker, not per pair.

The S500 7Gs work better in larger rooms farther from the walls. The 300s which are intended for smaller rooms and positioning closer to the rear walls - a reality in your room. While not as efficient as some, in your room and your amp 100dB peaks are realistic. The tradeoff is they will deliver an honest 41Hz bass guitar low-E the others simply cannot. That’s Hoffman’s Iron Law - You can have low bass, high efficiency, or a reasonable cabinet size - pick any two. Everything else, tonal balance, soundstage and imaging, dynamics, PRAT, you name it, are all anyone could ask of a speaker in this range. FWIW, I also own KEF LS-50s and Magnepan .7s. My MA S300 7Gs would be the last to go.

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