What Sensitivity with Tube Components?

There are plenty of speakers in that price range that are outstanding. You should take a gander at Harbeth,Spendor,etc. I think a sealed two way monitor will give you a satisfying musical experience!

ct0517, yes when I did switch the impedance and switch there was a definitive change, and not for the better. Mid-range was more pronounced but almost to the point of distortion. (only way I can describe it) Otherwise I didn't notice much too much change. I didn't leave it there for too long as I was not happy with the change.
Currently I am using 12 ga cables with bi-wire at the speaker end only. Perhaps I will try a true bi-wire set up with the switch set to low. Worth a try.
I listened to these speakers at my local Mcintosh dealer, B&Ws & Mcintosh 275 amp. I was very disappointed with the sound, actually the Yamaha was more to my liking. So to say that B&W speakers may not be "Tube Friendly" sounds quite plausible.

I think almarg is giving you some good advice. I have been using low-medium powered tube amps for 40 years, and if you want to get into tube amps, I would not say anything to discourage it, they can provide a very satisfying listening experience. My advice is not to get too hung up on speaker sensitivity. The key is to mate them with speakers that have a fairly benign impedance in the 6-10 ohm category. For instance, the original Pro Ac Reponse 2 had a sensitivity of only about 85 db, but they worked nicely with a 50-watt Audio Research tube amp that I had at the time, because the Pro Ac impedance was perfect for the amplifier. On the other hand, there are speakers out there rated at 91 db sensitivity, but the impedance is 4 ohms or less and would not mate well with most tube amps. I'm not sure about the impedance rating of your current speakers, but that would be the place to start.

  Perhaps I will try a true bi-wire set up with the switch set to low. Worth a try.

Hi wcc10 according to yamaha amp manual this is what has to happen to test that feature setting.  Even Yamaha recognizes different speaker impedance's and it is the reason they included that feature in your SS amp. Give it a try - costs nothing.  

from that earlier link.

the R-S700 is bi-wire ready. In this case, it uses both sets of internal amplifiers (Speakers A & B) for one pair of bi-wired speakers. This implies a true bi-wired scenario, where separate discrete amplifiers are used for the tweeter/mid-range and woofer section of your bi-wire-able speakers.

 
So give it a try definitely. 

But and this is a big but..... someone that is used to a 12 inch woofer like yourself - it can be like mothers milk you know ...  if infants could talk when being switched from mothers milk to artificial I am sure they would say - ew ,  yucky, phewy.

If the above doesn't work I would switch speakers, or get your wife to approve a sub to bring balance to the music.Those speakers in a space surrounded by windows is a challenge.

Let us know how you make out - good luck 


     

Mother's milk! I love it! ;-)
All very good info. I'm glad I posted this question on this forum.
I have another set of 12 ga cables so I will give the bi-wire a try. As said, it cost's nothing! I'll let you all know how it works out.

Thank you all!