High Efficiency Monitors - List

Reimer Speaker Systems, Reference 3A & previously mentioned Omega Speaker Systems are some companies manufactuering fairly efficient monitors that you might look into. Merlin might be another. But D_edwards & Audiokinesis are right, there are only a few unless you are willing to go DIY route & that only adds a few more.

See: http://www.welbornelabs.com/recomendspeaks.htm

IMO, crossover slope is the major limiting factor. Tubes do not like third & fourth order xovers & second order xovers should be limited to larger push-pull amps rather than flea watt SET amps.

You might want to check out some of the older Paradigm models (3se in particular). I think they were fairly efficient (90-91db), but they were medium-sized monitors w/8" drivers.

Check out the deCapos. Not quite as sensitive as you specify, but the easiest load any amp will ever see (single element x-over). Your max SPLs may be limited, but virtually any amp will drive these speakers to moderate volume levels.

Reference 3A Dulcet
Reference 3A deCapo
Zu Tone

These speakers give you tweeters and therefore full harmonic representation of what's going on. Omegas are interesting but aren't wideband enough, IMO, to qualify as monitors. These three speakers will also give you decent bass.

Another borderline efficiency contender that is excellent, is the Silverline SR17-II. The Zu uses a full-range driver from 50Hz - 12kHz, with the tweeter rolled in on a high-pass filter above 12kHz. The Ref 3As have a similar topology, but the tweeter rolls in much lower, in midrange territory like most 2-ways.

Phil

The Reference 3A MM DeCapos are 92 db eff, have excellent sounding bass down into the low 40hz region, and have a very simple crossover that makes them easy to drive.

I've used mine with amps as low as about 1.5 w/ch and they were plenty loud in my smallish room. With 5-8 watts they play louder than I can tolerate.

The Reference 3A is a fine speaker and is very popular. Buy them used, try them and re-sell them for no loss if you don't love them.

BTW, mine are the non "I" version.

Enjoy,

TIC