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Very tube-friendly monitor speakers?

Hey
I want to setup a second system consisting of a SET integrated (at this point looks like Antique Sound Labs or Unison) around 3 to 10 Watts. I want much more efficient speakers than my Paradigm Reference 100.2s so as to not have to stress my new little amp, leaving the Paradigms with my beloved McIntosh SS setup. By my calculations, i would like a monitor of 93dB or more sensitivity. And to make it even harder, I would like to keep it around $1000 or less, new preferred but used not out of the question. Any comments, suggestions, questions welcome. Thanks! Arthur
aball
tomryan
796 posts
 
The size of your room really matters here. I have an 8 wt 300B Air Tight amp and a 11 x 13.5 room. Use 86db efficient ProAc 2.5s. Works quite well but I would like to find something at 90db which would effectively double the output of my amp. Again, size of room is very important. The bigger the room, the more efficient the speaker needs to be. Finally, check the thread from 11-07-02 - "Best efficient speaker..."
aball OP
2,018 posts
 
Thanks for the replies. i checked out the "best efficient.." thread already but really would like to get monitors. I am looking into the Soliloquy - I had missed that one. I could not find much of anything on the LS3/5a. Thanks again.
phild
603 posts
 
Coincident makes quite a few models that are very tube friendly and I've read good things about their speakers.
jdombrow
371 posts
 
Check out Reimer speakers. I picked up a pair of used McCullough (42 to 20 khz and 94 dB) for $1200 with stands. He has three models below the McCullough. Unfortunately, his website does not yet list the specs or prices for these models. Rick is a great guy to talk with.

jd
reubent
7,003 posts
 
Here are a few good choices for hi-effeciency speakers.

Reference 3A MM De Capo- easy to drive with SET, but 8-10 watts would be a better match than 2-3 watts.

Galante Rapsody- Great reviews, but expensive considering how similar the are to the Adire HE10.1

Adire HE10.1- as little as $299 in kit form, but more like $1200 if you have the signature version professionally built.

Triangle-all Triangle speakers are easy to drive. Will work with almost any SET, but 8-10 watts would be better.

Cain & Cain Abby-Specifically designed for low-powered amps, the Abbys are a single drive unit. Looks way cool.

Omega Speakers- Single drive monitors

Loth X- high effeciency monitors

Moth Cicada-Art Deco looks, single Fostex drive.

The Ref. 3A De Capo is a great speaker with more bass than any other easy-to-drive monitor that I have ever heard. This speaker will kill many floor-standers in the bass department and is a very smooth and articulate speaker. I highly recommend it if you have enough power.

Enjoy,

TIC
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