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Speaker Suggestions for 300b SET Amp

I built an Elekit 8600 300b set amp recently.  It's amazing. I maxed out upgrades (all Takman resistors, Mundorf top end caps, solder/wiring, etc.).  It's a wonderful amp. It cost me $2k to build it and it's glorious.


My issue hasn't been the amp, but finding speakers that I want to use with it.  


I started with Omega XRS 8 Juniors (~$2k). I broke them in for 300 hours and, while they did get better, they largely sounded like the top and bottom ends were just truncated off at both ends the sound spectrum. They sounded more akin to a transistor radio speaker. I feel terrible to say that and I hope others really love them and hear them differently, as the company is great and the owner is wonderful. They just weren't for me.


So, I just paired the 300b up with some inefficient speakers (both KEF LS50s and Wharfedale 80th anniversary Dentons). Both speakers were part of other systems I have.  Both sets, and especially the cheaper Wharfedales, just sing with the 300b.  They do not play particularly loud given their efficiency ratings, yet they sound wonderful for very close nearfield listening. 


But what I'd like to do is go a bit more into the full range speaker category without buying a massive product. Or, I consider a smaller bookshelf/monitor if it were more efficient.


What speakers do folks like with their 300bs?  


128x128jbhiller
wolf_garcia
6,702 posts
 
I certainly wouldn't recommend the Heresy IIIs without subs as even with putting them on the floor with their angled risers (as I do, although they're maybe 1.5" taller on the blocks I use). Maybe if stuffed into a corner, but that causes more of an imagined low end and these things ain't there below maybe 60hz. Kind of like a PA speaker. Zu is a speaker I had been considering before hearing the Heresys but around here it's "no Zu for you" as I'd have to go to a show or risk buying without hearing, a thing I no longer do. Note that I listen to these things around 9 or 10 feet away (Speaker to my cranium measurement) and they do display a nice soundstage that does't appear to be coming from the floor, so with these the angled bases seem to work well. The horns don't beam to any degree that is noticeable, and I'm surprised by that as I've had non horn speakers beam much worse. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,232 posts
 
When you read the reviews of the sound, you read a lot of the same thing about Heresy III that you read about similar priced (and way less efficient) smaller monitors from the likes of ATC, Harbeth, etc. Not much if any bass below 50hz, but what you get is so enthralling you might not care for most music.

I listened at the dealer first with sub then without (by request) on some nicely recorded pop/synth stuff. Without breaking out the spectrum analyzer, in a fairly short and rushed audition granted, I was not thinking where is the bass at all with these. The dynamics and SPL possibilities with the Heresys for the price is perhaps their most unique feature. They were located low on teh stands near the front corners though mind you. They are said to be able to do realistic SPLs with percussion, large scale classical, etc., as well or better than most anything else near their price, and certainly on fewer watts. If those are things that appeal, choices may be limited with just a few watts and a modest budget.   They had my toes tapping very quickly which is always one of my litmus tests.
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,686 posts
 
charles1dad and others that asked, I do find the Living voice to come alive a little more with 15-20wch but if your not listening at 90db and above i don't feel they need the extra power to be satisfying I live in a condo type building (Lofts) so I have to be aware the people around me. I tend to listen in the 70-85db rang so the 8wch seems sufficient. that said I am looking at the possibility of  paralleling my 300b amp and increasing my power to 16wch. so Yes the LV's will sing quite nicely on 8wch but 15-20wch would be better.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Glenn,
Your typical listening range is the same as mine with my 8 watt SET or even when I was using my push pull tube 100 watt (60 watts triode mode which I preferred). I Seldom go louder but have gotten 100db peaks with the Frankenstein SET. It’s funny when the 60 watt was my main amplifier I was so impressed with its organic nature and transparency. Best I’d had up to that point. The Frankenstein instantly changed that perception , 8 watts! More open, natural, less electronic character (relatively speaking). Most significantly, a higher level of pure emotional involvement. It absolutely just pulls me right into the music, deeply.  I suspect you’ll be happy with the parallel 300b amplifier approach.
Charles
br3098
994 posts
 
jbhiller,

Your experience with the Omega XRS 8 Junior is surprising to me.  I don't own a pair of Omegas but I have a couple of friends with them and I think they sound great.  I wil add that the 8 Jr. is probably a better speaker for jazz than classical, IMO.

I have recently heard the Rethm Bhaava speakers and was very impressed.  They say that they are not as good as their Rethm's more expensive offerings.  If so, the upper speakers must be f***ing fantastic because the Bhaavas I heard were great.  Musical and detailed (more of the former) and lots of bass, provided by an active woofer.  Made in India (may be a problem for some, not for me) and quite affordable.

I may be out of fashion here but I believe that the final transducer (speakers or headphones) are the most critical components in a system - more so than the amplifier.  When outfitting a new system I usually try to selecting an amp to match the speakers and not the other way around.

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