Speaker Dilemma--A Good One to Have but Confused

Knowing what type of music you prefer really doesn’t tell us much. What aspects of sound reproduction (i.e. Tonality, detail, soundstaging, etc.) and speaker characteristics are most important to you? Impossible to make an informed recommendation without this info.

Soix, 

That's a fair point.  But it is, however, hard to answer. 

Maybe I can give you my history--in the form of speakers--and it may shed light.  I really can't talk in audiophile terms that well. 

When I was young, I had inherited a pair of my dad's Wharfedales from the late 60s.  They did nothing really well but nothing terribly wrong either.  They just let you enjoy music but with no special insight.  [Recently I bought a pair of Wharfedale Dentons to get back to that place.  They are wonderful, yet that's another story. ]

Then I bought a pair of Cerwin Vegas.  My Sony receiver would smoke and overload--it couldn't drive them.  I loved how the CVs boogied and played loud, with utter bombast.  But as I got into jazz they really didn't have any meaningful midrange and the treble was glaring. 

Next, I bought a pair of Monitor Audio bookshelf speakers, which were near top of the line 20 years ago.  They were shiny in sound but had an accuracy and warmth that I really liked.  They were my first glimpse into real hifi. 

After that, I owned Totem Arros.  I loved the holographic dreaminess of them.  They actually didn't image that well; I wouldn't notice though because they were so breathy and magical. 


Then I bought PSB Imagine T2s.  These are wonderful in their own right.  They need decent front end and some space in the room.  Once set up right they showed me another level altogether.  I couldn't stop listening to music.  The T2s are balanced top to bottom, showing off no particular area more than another in the sound spectrum.  They can really rock when you want to.  They can also play jazz and vocals so well I can feel the performance. 

In sonic terms, I like things sounding balanced.  I don't like missing out on any specific ingredient--soundstage, imaging, midrange, treble, bass, transients, etc.  I need the speaker to give a little into each area we hear so that I can appreciate it.  Think of it like saying, I like 4 course meals.  I don't say that I like appetizers more than dessert or main more than salad--I want them all and to have at least some of the features that make each one great.  All that stuff together adds up to a meal.   

Now I certainly can tell when one steak is way better than another--just as I can tell one speaker images better than another.  I just don't know that I want one thing that much more than another....I'd rather be able to have some characteristics of each feature to help me enjoy the entire thing more...sort of a gestalt view. 

Does that make sense?  Things I don't like are fatigue, harsh highs, bloated or non-musical bass, or one area of the spectrum overshadowing another too much.  

There are a few speakers on your list I'm not sure are tube friendly enough to get the most out of them (KEF, MA, PSB).  I think, given what you're looking for, the Spendor D7 is a great candidate.  I'd also add the Joseph Audio Profile, which is also in that price range and excels at imaging and soundstaging while sounding very natural and balanced throughout its frequency spectrum.  There's a pair being sold on Audio Circle for only $2575 ($7000 new) if you're open to buying used and don't mind some minor surface imperfections.  For a little more you might also consider the Pulsar, which although being a monitor may still have enough bass extension and ups the level of refinement over most everything else you're considering.  The Vandersteen Treo would also be very worth an audition.  Anyway, just some other options -- best of luck in your search. 

I had the Primaluna with the KT 150s, and it drove the Harbeth C7s (86db) without any problem.  The 96 watts of ultra linear power from the Primaluna w/KT150s is pretty amazing.  Keep in mind that many companies significantly overestimate the efficiency in their published specs - in this month's Stereophile there is a speaker that is specified at 94db, but itested at 87.5db)  So, a speaker with a published 90db might be 85-86db in reality.  If you can find the actual measurements, you'll be able to make a more informed choice.  

I bet you're using maybe 3 to 10 watts when listening to anything, regardless of the relative efficiency issues. I use a 12 or so WPC little tube amp with Klipsch Heresy IIIs (hard to beat the 99db efficiency these have, but subs are important since the Heresy III goes to only 58 hz or so) and it's clear and plenty loud if need be...efficient speakers do more than just play louder, they seem to dig a little deeper into the music.