Speakers with Cary 300 SEI

What is the size of the room and expected loudness level? This will usually dictate efficiency requirement. Cary 300SEI only has 12-15 watts at 8ohms. So figure at least 89-91 dB flat 8-Ohms speakers for a mid-size room for moderate loudness.

Monitor speakers tend to be rather inefficient with a few exceptions. I can think of only Coincident Triumph Extreme and some single driver speakers that into this description.

I did try early EPOS speakers with Cary 300 SEI about 10 years ago. Certainly very romantic sounding but does clip pretty fast. And this was only in my small apartment living room. Just for fun, I did hook up a pair of Thiel 3.6 as well. Surprising good sounding with string quarter and female jazz vocal. Just have to keep the vol down and make sure there is zero bass in the music.

It just goes to show you that SET will work well depending on requirement.

Eric

Well the room size is undecided at this point. We are still looking at new houses. Most likely it will be a "spare" bedroom size. I listen mostly to Jazz.

I must second the suggestion of the Proac 1Sc's. It is a wonderful combination with the Cary SET..

Good Luck,

Chris

If you don't listen to very loud level, anything with >80 dB will work as long as impedance is relatively flat. So just pick the speakers that you like and make sure it's a flat 4 or 8 Ohms speakers. So the choice is actually quite numerous.

ProAc 1SC, Reference 3A Dulcet, Harbeth, Spendor and etc. Probably smart to stay away from speakers with Dynaudio based driver. Usually too difficult to drive for SET.

For the "magic" vocal reproduction combo, 300B and BBC LS 3/5 speakers is the one to go for. I heard a pair of Cary 300B monoblock with Roger 3/5. Definitely syrupy sweet. Won't be very loud at 82-84 dB efficency though.

I urge you to listen/read, to fullrange, single driver, crossover-less speakers. This is where the "Magic" happenes with the 300B, zero-feedback SET designs. Since you are looking for monitors you can take a look at Omega speakers. They are very efficient as well. Also if you don't mind floorstanders Cain & Cain also fits your bill.
Good luck!