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Speaker Suggestions for 300b SET Amp

I built an Elekit 8600 300b set amp recently.  It's amazing. I maxed out upgrades (all Takman resistors, Mundorf top end caps, solder/wiring, etc.).  It's a wonderful amp. It cost me $2k to build it and it's glorious.


My issue hasn't been the amp, but finding speakers that I want to use with it.  


I started with Omega XRS 8 Juniors (~$2k). I broke them in for 300 hours and, while they did get better, they largely sounded like the top and bottom ends were just truncated off at both ends the sound spectrum. They sounded more akin to a transistor radio speaker. I feel terrible to say that and I hope others really love them and hear them differently, as the company is great and the owner is wonderful. They just weren't for me.


So, I just paired the 300b up with some inefficient speakers (both KEF LS50s and Wharfedale 80th anniversary Dentons). Both speakers were part of other systems I have.  Both sets, and especially the cheaper Wharfedales, just sing with the 300b.  They do not play particularly loud given their efficiency ratings, yet they sound wonderful for very close nearfield listening. 


But what I'd like to do is go a bit more into the full range speaker category without buying a massive product. Or, I consider a smaller bookshelf/monitor if it were more efficient.


What speakers do folks like with their 300bs?  


128x128jbhiller
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,538 posts
 
I'll add one more to the fray Living Voice. I moved from the ANE to the Avatar 2 and quite happy running SET 300b integrated.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,238 posts
 
Glennewdick,
Many owners of the Audio Note E  type speakers (numerous versions of this model I realize)say they are well driven by 300b SET  and similar power(8 to 10 watts) amplifiers.  Have you found the Living Voice Avatar as easy to drive as the AN  speaker? My understanding was that the Living Voice require a bit more power than the AN E  type. The LV Avatar is reported to have exceptionally good sound quality. 
Charles 
lak's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
lak
4,550 posts
 
Von Schweikert DB 99 speakers, they have a class D built-in amp and sub, they will work very well with any amp regardless of power. (With Super Tweeters if you can find them).
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,238 posts
 
Glenn,
I just finished viewing your system pictures, very nice!!  You have a music library that would suffice for several lifetimes 😊.  Your Finale 300b SET integrated looks to have very serious iron on board.  I am certain that your audio system reproduces music  most beautifully. 
Charles 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,641 posts
 
Most 300b amps are good for about 7 watts.

The distortion goes up and begins to include the odd ordered harmonics at powers over about 20-25%. So you might have about 2-3 watts of really usable power- over that, you don't really get to experience what the amp is all about (despite many remonstrations you may hear to the contrary; keep in mind that many people with SETs often put them on speakers that lack the efficiency needed; this is **the most** common mistake made with SETs)!

So I would not consider any loudspeaker that does not involve either a high efficiency full range driver (like a Lowther or Feasterex) or horns. The exception would be if you are in a very small room or only doing near field listening. In most average rooms, you will want a speaker that is **at least** 98 db 1watt/1 meter.
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