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Best high-efficiency speaker under 10K

I have never played in the high-eff speaker / low-powered amp space, but I've read so many things that I would like to give it a try. I own an EAR 859 integrated amplifier, De Paravicini's interpretation of SET. It's pretty incredible, especially if you consider its price tag. I am now in the business of choosing the right speaker. I listen to a lot of jazz and vocals and opera. So, I can do without the sub-40HZ frequency range. I would like to stay between $3K to $7K, certainly below $10K. Here are the options i am considering:

1) Zu Audio Essence.
2) Beauhorn Virtuoso (single driver)
3) KCS louspeakers (the model that uses the SEAS exotic driver)
4) Devore Gibbons 8
5) Living voice Avatar

If I had to choose right now, I'd go with the Beauhorn, but I know their limitations.

Any thoughts/personal experiences with the above or any other speakers in this range? Thanks.
ggavetti
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Best high-efficiency speaker under 10K

Being high efficiency, and easy to drive more times than not, go hand in hand with some form of colouration.
I can think of one with high’ish efficiency and easy to drive, that would be the some of the TAD speakers that to me sounded uncoloured.

https://youtu.be/Fai7Pnw1c-Q

https://youtu.be/swgPaVlE-0E

https://www.stereophile.com/content/tad-evolution-one-loudspeaker

Cheers George
whitestix
717 posts
 
You can have audio nirvana for around $3K with Spatial Audio Hologram M3 Turbo speakers.  They are the best speakers I have ever heard under $10K.
rodge827's avatar
rodge827
619 posts
 
Charney Audio Companion with Voxativ drivers or for less $ the Maestro with the Omega RS7 driver.

Exceptional design, build, and oh the sound!

Charney will change your mind on what a single driver speaker can do! 
mestrear
1 posts
 
I have owned a pair of Decware HDT single driver floor standers for four years.  I had always wanted single drivers but when I first started looking the prices were too high.
A friend had a pair of Decware amps producing about 2 watts per channel and I saw some speakers on the web site.
I own a pair of Wright Stereo Co. 3.5 Mono amps powered by 2A3 tubes and are 3.5 watts per channel.
Steve Deckert of Decware designed his High Definition Tower, transmission line speakers about 10 years ago and the design is brilliant.  I had a pair built and they are now available through Decware for $2695.00 a pair.  The speakers are 96db efficient, use Decware modified Fostex 206 drivers under the FR-8 model number.  The speakers are definitely worth looking at and all of the info is on the Decware site.
bache's avatar
bache
523 posts
 
rodge@What is  price Charney? Is really nice speakers, I listen in NY
audio show 2016
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