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High Efficiency Dynamic Speaker Suggestions Please

I currently have Von Schweikert VR4jr's driven by Rawson class D monoblocks. These amps have really opened the dynamics openness of the speakers. Recently I heard Opera M12 horn speakers and I loved the presentation, they were even more open and "real" sounding. My thinking is to get them or something similar that offer that dynamic presence that the vr4's don't. I am totally unversed in this type of speaker but would love to learn more. After a lot of research I have come up with some possible speakers including Emerald Physics CS2, Audiokinesis Jazz Modules, Pi speakers, Tyler PD15 or PD30 or the Consonance. Several questions come up. Will my amps be OK with the Opera? My speaker positioning is limited. Placement is 18" off of back wall and 7' apart. Listening position is 10' away. Room size is 17' x 22' x 8'. I have a large LCD TV between the speakers. Are these types of speakers room dependant as much as the VR? Do the have better image depth as the VR? Any and all help is appreciated.
philbrady
dodgealum
1,400 posts
 
I'm not sure about your price point or the room size but you might want to add Daedalus Audio to your short list. 97-98db efficient. Dynamic, natural and real sounding. You can check their website and also a review I posted recently on the DA-1.1's, which are my second pair of speakers from Lou.
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,782 posts
 
the 3 things that horn loaded speakers will do are the following: dynamics, low distoration (esp IM), and efficiency. there is no dynamic speaker, no tweeter, no electrostat, no ribbon, or any other type that will give you the dynamics a horn will. i personally use jbl 4430 and 4435 studio monitors for my home stereo 2 channel system for 20 years. tremendous dynamics, a "you are there" presentation, very low distoration. the 4430 will get down in bass to 35 htz and the 4435 will get down to 25 htz with, again very low distoration. as it is with any good loudspeaker, they need to be set up properly in a good room.(my room is smaller then yours so they should sound even better then in my room!) however, i wouldnt run them with a class d amp, class a, ab solid state, or tube would be best. both these speakers can be biamped, true biamp with an external crossover. smaller would be the jbl 4425 studio monitor, also horn loaded! check out jbl vintage site! good luck! mike
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
I agree with Ditusa nothing will compete with horns for efficiecny. ATC, however are very much like horns in terms of "you are there" presentation but they are less efficient and require big big amps to sing...
audiokinesis
2,728 posts
 
The Emerald Physics speakers would probably be quite happy with Class D amplification, but the PiSpeakers and mine would probably perform their best with low damping factor tube amps. I can't speak for the Tylers or Opera Consonance speakers, but you can ask Ty directly and we can hope the Trelja, who is the Opera Consonance importer, will join in.

By the way, I second the suggestions of Dodgealum and Ditusa. Daedelus speakers are very lively and musical, and while I haven't heard the JBL 4435, in my opinion the 4430 is a genuine classic (and the big 4435 is probably even better). The Altec Model 14 and Model 19 are very nice also, if you can find a pair.

Can you tell us a little bit about the room the speakers will be going in? With some boundary reinforcement and/or room gain to warm up the bottom end a bit, I think more of these speakers would work well with your amp.

Best of luck in your quest,

Duke
dealer/manufacturer
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