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Looking for suggestions for a new (to me) pair of high efficiency monitors

Hi,

I’m looking to change out my Legacy Studio HD monitors for something more efficient. The Legacy’s are fine speakers and have served me well, but you all know the drill—time to try something new for the fun of it after several years..

I presently run a Bob Latino VTA ST120 amp. Not a lot of power, but nice sound for not a lot of $$.

No preamp, Mac-mini running Audivana out to my Bryston DAC, which puts out plenty of signal directly into the VTA 120 to drive to full power.

The Legacy’s are rated at 93 dB at 4ohms I believe—interested in getting opinions for alternative high efficiency and detailed monitors. Lost a fair amount of upper freq hearing over the years, in fact I have to wear hearing aids that help hear above 7khz, so mellow mid- and treble doesn’t do it for me. Even so largely listen to acoustic jazz, vocals and lately a smattering of opera. Rarely rock or full range orchestral. 

Thanks in advance!
jsl1234
jsl1234 OP
36 posts
 
I do have the curves however my hearing aids already compensate for the loss where they can. Putting them in (both ears) literally turns on the treble for me when listening. The units are 15 or 20 channel programmable and set when I go for an audio test every two years or so. They are older but high end Widex units.

They amplify where there is loss pretty accurately--my hearing is strong at up to 6k, then drops very rapidly in both ears starting at 7k and is down from there on by nearly 60 or 70 db as I recall. Not quite deaf at that level but damn nearly so when trying to hear high hat, highest register etc.. So i doubt I'll get any additional benefit from further equalization on the mac.

Kind of sucks but probably self inflicted from years of motorcycle riding in the 1970s without ear protection and working in loud bars throughout my college years.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
I am real sorry about the hearing loss (and worry about young people and their headphones).
I fail to understand how a separate pre amplifier can improve the sound (other than by having tone controls). Pre amplifiers once were necessary to bring the various analogue sources to the same level. If you only use digital sources there is no longer any need for this. A DAC with variable output like various Benchmark models (or the Marantz HD DAC1 or Pioneer U-05 at a more modest price level) will do the job just fine. If your DAC does not have a variable output, add an outboard volume control like the TC Level Pilot, or just use the digital volume control in the computer or disc player like the Oppo 205.
donvito101
278 posts
 
+1 yogiboy
You don’t need high efficient speakers in a 10x12 size room. The LS3/5a is a perfect speaker for your application.  Keep away from any ported speaker!

jsl1234 OP
36 posts
 
I agree. I don't use a pre-amp and have a nice 21 step attenuator on my VTA 120 amp. The DAC puts out plenty of signal to drive the amp. 

Regarding the hearing loss not much to say beyond I tend to favor 'brighter' presentation speakers to help compensate. That said, I still listen to mostly single instrument (piano, violin, female voice, acoustic jazz, etc..) so not even sure how much I'm really missing...

I have started to look at OB speakers just for the fun of it. My room is small and nearly square (10x12). Not room for pulling speakers off the rear wall.

Used to own and love Maggies (1.7 and 3.7) but I've since moved on given the limitations of my room and equipment choices. 
jsl1234 OP
36 posts
 
http://images.klipsch.com/RB81IIcutsheet_635042118979170000.pdf

Not to disparage low cost speakers but always thought of this line as mass market HT stuff? How do they sound compared to traditional Klipsch Heritage Series Heresy III?
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