Nice post there, Duke!
Admittedly a bit lost
Folks
I am a long time music lover who is dipping his toes into high end audio for the first time. I have long enjoyed high quality headphones (Sennheiser HD650) and earphones (Etymotics all the time) but have not spent the big bucks (that I don't have) for high-end equipment. :)
However, I have recently acquired a Jolida tube amp (40W output) and am looking for good speakers to pair with them. I intend to go around listening to a bunch of speakers but I need to at least narrow down what sort I should ask my local dealers to have available for me to try. That is what this thread is about.
My constraints are thus:
- My musical tastes run the gamut from classical choral pieces (Bach's cantatas and mass, Arvo Part, Hilliard Ensemble's works etc - i.e. all mid-range frequencies) to experimental electronic music (Autechre, Aphex Twin, Flying Lotus etc - i.e. deep sub-bass and full-frequency spread music with absolutely zero traditional instruments and every sound is synthesized).
- My amp is a 40W tube amp
- I live in an apartment and so listen at volumes ranging from low to moderate.
- My budget for speakers is about $3K (slightly flexible).
With those constraints, my dilemma is that I don't know if I should be trying out high-efficiency speakers or low-efficiency ones? Should I look for 8ohm speakers or 4ohm ones? Something tells me that with low power tube amps, I should be looking at a high efficiency low impedence speaker. However, will that sort of speaker be able to navigate the high speed bass attack of electronic music when driven by an amplifier such as mine?
I am not sure where to begin, so I would really like some advise from folks here. Thank you so much!
I am a long time music lover who is dipping his toes into high end audio for the first time. I have long enjoyed high quality headphones (Sennheiser HD650) and earphones (Etymotics all the time) but have not spent the big bucks (that I don't have) for high-end equipment. :)
However, I have recently acquired a Jolida tube amp (40W output) and am looking for good speakers to pair with them. I intend to go around listening to a bunch of speakers but I need to at least narrow down what sort I should ask my local dealers to have available for me to try. That is what this thread is about.
My constraints are thus:
- My musical tastes run the gamut from classical choral pieces (Bach's cantatas and mass, Arvo Part, Hilliard Ensemble's works etc - i.e. all mid-range frequencies) to experimental electronic music (Autechre, Aphex Twin, Flying Lotus etc - i.e. deep sub-bass and full-frequency spread music with absolutely zero traditional instruments and every sound is synthesized).
- My amp is a 40W tube amp
- I live in an apartment and so listen at volumes ranging from low to moderate.
- My budget for speakers is about $3K (slightly flexible).
With those constraints, my dilemma is that I don't know if I should be trying out high-efficiency speakers or low-efficiency ones? Should I look for 8ohm speakers or 4ohm ones? Something tells me that with low power tube amps, I should be looking at a high efficiency low impedence speaker. However, will that sort of speaker be able to navigate the high speed bass attack of electronic music when driven by an amplifier such as mine?
I am not sure where to begin, so I would really like some advise from folks here. Thank you so much!
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- 59 posts total
10-25-15: PeterhThat's a good point Peter. In Australia, a friend of mine Paul Spencer has a business called 'The Loudspeaker Kit' & has some great value and good sounding speaker kits. The LSK F6 Mk3 is their top of the range model. I heard its predecessor at the Melbourne Hifi show and was really surprised how good they sound. Stuart Ralston from SGR Audio designed the crossovers and cabinets, whilst Paul has a knack for tuning speakers to get the sound he wants. And with the low Aussie dollar, you could pick up a pair for just over $1kUS & invest the spare change in better cables. Food for thought. |
You have received much great advice above. Pay attention to the Audiokinesis post. I see no problem in finding a quality speaker to match with your Jolida that meets your listening/environmental requirements. I would search out a monitor speaker having 87dB - 92dB sensitivity, nominal 6 ohm impedance, and relatively flat impedance across the frequency range not dropping much below 4 ohms. Include in your budget a good pair of solid stands for the speakers. The idea of adding a subwoofer may prove beneficial in achieving and controlling the bottom end in your apartment. |
Not sure what aspects of sound reproduction (i.e. Neutrality, tonal richness, imaging, soundstage, micro/macro dynamics, pace/timing, disappear as sound source, etc.) are most important to you, but a few that shoot pretty much down the middle of the fairway and are relatively benign loads are Joseph Audio, Silverline, and Reference 3A. If you have any of those available nearby, or even if you would have to travel a bit, those are worth a listen IMHO. And I'd bring the Jolida if at all possible. Best of luck. |
- 59 posts total