Why tube amps are rated so low, still don't get it

At the risk of asking a dumb question, exactly what speakers are you trying to drive? What is the minimum impedence? What is the efficiency spec? With that someone can give you very specific advise as to whether or not you should use tubes amps and how much power you need.

Hi There,

The speakers are not 100% certain yet. I am busy deciding (will decide this week) which ones I will go for exactly, but the top two candidates and their specs are as follows:

Monitor Audio GR-60
Frequency Response +/- 3dB 28Hz-30KHZ
Sensitivity (1W@1M) 90dB
Nominal Impedance (Ohms) 6
Power Handling RMS (W) 200
Drive Unit Complement 2 x 6.5" RST® bass, 1 x 6.5" RST mid,
1 x 25mm Gold Dome C-CAM tweeter
Bass Alignment Triple chamber differentially tuned sealed mid-section reflex bass sections
External Dimensions cm approx. 106Hx20Wx33D

Elac 209 Jet
Dimensions H × W × D 1030 × 200 × 285 mm
Gross Volume 58l
Weight 19 kg
Principle 2½-ways, bass reflex
Woofer 2 × 180 mm AS cone
Tweeter 1 × JET
Recom. Amplifier Power
at Nominal Impedance 30-300 W / channel
Crossover Frequencies 2,500 / 2,700 Hz
Sensitivity 90 dB / 2.83 V / 1 m
Nominal Impedance
suitable for amplifiers (from ... to) 4 Ohm
4 ... 8 Ohm
Minimum Impedance 3.5 Ohm at 190 Hz
Frequency Range 32 ··· 35,000 Hz
Nominal / Peak Power Handling 160 / 200 W

Any suggestions? (on both the speaker choice and whether the tube amp will work well with the)

Cheers,
X

The Moniter Audio speakers appear to be a bit more tube friendly based simply on the nominal impedance. If you want truly tube friendly speakers that will work on a variety of tube amps (from the lowest power to higher power amps) I would suggest you consider the speakers offered by Audio Note. They come in three basic sizes; each size is available in different cabinet finishes and different levels of components/build quality.

If you hear a pair of Audio Note ANJK/L or ANESp speakers you might be quite surprised at how good they sound. All three are a basic two way design with a minimalist crossover. The key is matching of components carefully and the quality of the components. The more expensive models use silver wiring, Alnico drivers, and sound materially better than the entry models. The entry models sound fine, too; I am on my second pair having used a J and now a K (due to space limitations).

All three of the speakers will work fine with 8 watts of good single ended tube power.

Wow, Thank you Mr. Porter for the fine post!
Regards,

There are lots of good speakers that will give you very satisfying results with 50 watts of tube power in a moderately sized room. Though I'm not familiar with either of the two speakers you are considering either appear to be quite adequate. I'm using 90db floorstanders at home running them with 10watts of PP (tube) power and that system can give clean sound loud enough to disturb the neigbors next door. The two speakers you mention also boast 90db efficiency. Keep in mind also that synergy is not just whether the speakers will play music at a satisfying volume with the given amp. The best thing you can do to determine whether you'll like it is actually listen to the specific combination of amp and speaker you are considering. If that proves difficult, buy used, listen, and sell if you don't like what you hear. Repeat this procedure till you find the combination that raises the hairs on the back of your neck and gets your toes to tappin' involuntarily, OR until your wife/s.o. throws you out of the house on your ass!

Marco