2. speakers
  3. 147249-21

Easy to drive, outstandingly natural sound from 40-50 Hz up.....AN-E, O/96, others?

If my goal were to find natural-sounding, dynamic, and efficient speakers that can be driven with a somewhat lower-powered a (i.e., 50-watt SS) amplifier, and that work well with a variety of music, would I be looking at AN-Es, O/96s, or which others?
I am not particularly interested in using a 10-20 watt SET, but being able to use something lower-powered than the 300-watt amplifiers required for my 85dB speakers would open up a lot of other amplifier options and simplify things for me.  I have two fairly high-quality powered subs so the goal would be to fill my (moderately large) room from 40-50 Hz and up and let the subs handle the lower registers.
Any thoughts on the two speakers listed, or recommendations for others?
mitch2
audiokinesis
2,746 posts
 

Thank you very much, Ralph and exlibris.

I don't really have any speakers that meet mitch2's requirements.  My "fullrange" speakers go deeper than 40-50 Hz, and my "made to be used with subs" speakers cut off higher than that, in anticipation of the Swarm doing a better job than a pair of speakers can in the bass region. 

For instance the main speakers I showed at RMAF last year are designed to cross over to subs up in the mid-to-upper 60's.  I think they meet at  least some of the other criteria though (benign impedance curve, lower-90's efficiency, drivers with characteristics that imply good dynamics).  I won't make sound quality claims because who's gonna believe a manufacturer's opinion of his own products?    

Duke

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,846 posts
 
I can vouch for Duke's speakers- I've heard them many times and his sound is always excellent.
exlibris
438 posts
 
...and I can vouch for Duke's swarm subwoofer system.  It's really transformed my room.

audiokinesis
2,746 posts
 

Thank you both!  Is it okay if I publicly agree with your opinions???

Cheers,

Duke

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Exlibris,
I would give the Cube Audio Nenuphar serious attention. I know an owner of them who’s opinion I have considerable regard for. He says this is a superb and very natural sounding speaker. Open sounding to the point that they seem to completely disappear in the listening room. Also an exceptionally easy impedance  load. Perhaps one the very finest single driver speakers currently available.
Charles
More to discover