Which Budget Speakers, Tekton or Omega?


I have a $2500 budget and haven’t had any luck finding the right floorstander in the local hifi shops, so am seeking advice from owners of internet-direct speakers.

I have an all tube system with a 30W triode EL34 amp. My system is in the living room, 12’ x 16’ x 8.' Speakers can be a maximum height of about 40 inches.
   Most important to me is a realistic laid-back presentation with open, transparent sonics. For example, I really like the KEF sound. I listen to 90% Classical, but also take my Led Zeppelin very seriously.
I have a sensitivity to high frequencies (hyperacusis), so there must be a smooth and natural top-end. And I’m done with metal tweeters since I haven’t found any that work for me.

There have been many Tekton threads, so I’m familar with some of their models, but I’m very intrigued by the Omega’s. Can anybody share their experiences with the Omega line or offer advice on floorstanders within my budget? I’m open to used or demos.

128x128lowrider57
I recently bought a pair of new Klipsch Heresy IIIs which seemed to meet my efficiency needs, which they do. Having used various "tower" speakers for decades it's interesting to have these things on the floor with their slanted little "stand" (I have them on maybe 1.5" butcher blocks with vibrapods between the speakers and the blocks) and they do seem to like being there (tried 1 foot stands but the Heresys seem to prefer the floor)…I use these with a couple of REL subs as they only go down to around 58hz on their own…people sort of forget about these speakers as they've been around in various versions seemingly forever, but the newest version sounds amazingly clear and musical in a well sorted system…a perky and coherant speaker.
Speaking of Klipsch, you could buy a pair of Cornwalls ( used ), get new crossovers and tweeters from Bob Crites, dampen the mid horns, and, you are set. Same with Lascalas, but a subwoofer ( 2 subs are better ) would be necessary. 
I have the Omega SAM HOs in my main system, and also the 3i, and I previously had the regular SAMs for a while, and I have heard the Tekton Impact Monitors.

The key to get the most out of the single driver Omegas so that they can handle complex music easily is to take the low bass off of them altogether, and yes, use a subwoofer or two.  This frees up the drivers from trying to replicate the bass notes, which in turn keeps the single drivers from distorting, and utilizes your amplifier (an 8wpc SET amp in my case) much more efficiently and keeping them out of the >25% of available power range where distortion may start.

Many ways to accomplish this, like using passive filters, but my latest is to use a left and right channel convolution filter .wav that I generated using room correction from REW software, and using that filter within HQPlayer.  Sounds complicated but its really not. Very effective.


http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649408825-living-voice-auditorium-r3-loudspeakers-in-maple/


Living Voice Auditoriums are a very nice speaker and used in NA  is hard to find, 94db, revelator tweeter so silk dome and very detailed but musical. I moved to these from AudioNote ANE Lux and never looked back. Also I have to say Living Voice is a wonderful company to deal with.

Hi Glenn,
The Living Voice (LV) and Audio Note E (ANE ) is a very interesting comparison of two very well regarded UK speakers of similar sensitivity. Would it be fair to say that the ANE is an easier speaker load to drive (and providing deeper bass/weight ) and the LV is perhaps more refine (and open) sounding? Granted there are numerous versions (options) of the AN available. It seems that either would work well with modest power but high quality amplifiers. The LV is certainly less known than the AN brand in the USA.
Charles