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Another "help me pick speakers" thread

(sorry long post)
Yes, I know these threads are all over the place, but here’s what I’m looking for…
Looking for a small footprint (12 X 8 would pretty much be the max) floorstander, which costs up to $2K used. I much prefer used, because I hate breaking-in speakers, plus, they are generally easier to sell. My amp is a Rogue Audio Tempest 2 (Integrated tube 90 wpc, both 8ohm & 4ohm)- I love it, and have no intention of selling it. I was using Tyler Acoustics monitors and subs (then, a single sub when I moved to a smaller apt), and I just didn’t have the floor space for the sub and anywhere to put monitors. However, I really liked the sound- no complaints (had I not moved, I would have kept that setup). So, now I have the OHM Microwalsh SE (the SE model supposedly goes an octave lower than the older “Tall” model). They are broken-in, and sound great, except the bass. I’m missing the bass-drum kick and the snare-drum thump with these. A sub might help, but I have nowhere to put one (plus, I’m trying to simplify things). I listen to rock- only (and I’m 95% vinyl)… stuff like early Sabbath (the first 4 albums). A few problems… my apt has little room to maneuver speakers- they will have to be very close to the side walls (I sit on the back wall, about 2 feet behind the speakers, and about 5 or 6 feet from each). The WAF is not an issue- she doesn’t care what they look or sound like- but the size IS an issue. When I said 12 X 8 would be the max footprint… I will have to turn them sideways against the wall when I’m not using them- so we can walk by (yeah, I live in NYC). Smaller would be better, but I do need them to move some air. I’ve only ruled out B&W’s (never heard a pair I liked) and Gallo Ref 3 (don’t think my amp could drive them, plus, I don’t want to buy a sub amp- I just sold mine). As for those who say “go demo some and let your ears decide”… I only think in-store demos are good for 1 thing, and that’s comparing one speaker to another. It’s rare to find a store that has 2 different models that I’m even considering. In Living Stereo probably has the coolest employees in the NYC hi-fi shops… most others are clueless, or just trying to make a sale (like, they don’t even ask what amp you are using!) So, here’s what I am considering, please feel free to add to the list (this is compiled purely from reading- I have not heard any of these):

Proac Studio 140 (probably my first choice)
Joseph Audio RM25si
Totem Hawk (worried about placement near wall)
Totem Forest (again, placement)
Rega R5 (might be a little too big, plus not many used ones show up)
Zu Druid (never heard this type of speaker… this one’s a wild card choice)
Quad 22L2 (these are so cheap, it makes me wonder)
ron325
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,924 posts
 
Totems are hard to beat for the size but also seem to like gobs of SS power from what I have seen, beyond what their specs indicate.

The Quads are the only others on your list I have heard. They are nice but am not sure about their power needs. I believe they are 6 ohm nominal speakers which on paper would not seem to be an optimal match for tube amps.

I'd look for speakers that are both higher efficiency (89-90Db or better) and also provide more of a consistent 8 ohm or higher load for best results with the tube amp. Zu Druids would seem to fit the bill here but I've read deep bass in lieu of a sub is not their forte.

Of the speakers I am most familiar with in your price range that might fit the bill, Triangles might be the first place I would look.
loomisjohnson
1,909 posts
 
you have three criteria--small footprint, near-wall placement and deep bass--which narrows the field considerably. the proacs, for example, are great but need a lot of room to breathe and probably won't work for you. from my experience, rega and focal cobalt/electra work well near the walls; a few within your budget to consider:
salk song towers--deep bass, narrow, unfussy about placement, surprisingly good
monitor audio rs6--big stereophile favorite, lots of thronk for their size--i actually preferred these to the much pricier vienaa acoustics, martin logan and thiels i auditioned them against
happy hunting
ron325 OP
54 posts
 
I should also mention that volume shouldn't be much of an issue. My Tyler's were 88db, and I could only turn the volume a little past noon. Same with the OHM's, but I'm not sure how efficient they are. I figure, unless the speakers are real inefficient, I should be ok. My amp IS tube, but at 90 wpc, it's not like it's "low power". I also realize it's not a 500 wpc SS, either.
And, my floors are hardwood, and that doesn't help.
I looked at those Salk Song Towers online... they seem decent, but don't turn up used very often.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,924 posts
 
I was reading the Salks are 4ohm nominal impedance and not particularly efficient.

They may be fantastic speakers but you might not be any better off in the bass department in the end possibly, unless these just happen to have a most powerful low end regardless.
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