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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
2,753 posts
 

"I’ve had Audio Notes for the past 7 years and haven’t found anything yet to replace them. Maybe I never will."

I always thought the big Audio Note’s had a delicious richness about them that really stood out from the crowd. One could easily get totally lost in the music listening to them. My impression was that they’d be totally non-fatiguing to listen to all day long. Don’t think I ever heard the small ones.

The only concern I might have is this:  They are so well-balanced as-is that adding subwoofers might tend to tip the tonal-balance teeter-totter too much towards the low end.  Not an insurmountable problem, just something to take into account when dialing in the subs.   For instance, one might be able to restore balance just by pulling the Audio Notes forward a bit and away from their recommended boundary-reinforcement-intensive placements. 

Duke

mitch2 OP
4,123 posts
 
I agree with your thoughts on the AN Duke.  Another option might be to use a high-pass filter like Vandersteen uses, and then roll the subs up to match the rolled off frequency and output of the main AN speakers.  Of course you may accomplish the same thing more simply by moving them out from the wall but the high pass would (theoretically) reduce the work required by the main amplifier.

BTW, I would like to hear your swarm system some day.  Adding a second Aerial sub was a huge benefit to the sound of my system, in particular by better controlling bass in my room. 
exlibris
438 posts
 
Duke,

I agree with what you say: "a delicious richness about them that really stood out from the crowd. One could easily get totally lost in the music listening to them. My impression was that they’d be totally non-fatiguing to listen to all day long."

The reason I’m interested in making a change is not because adding subs threw off the balance, it’s because I find the speakers to be a bit "sleepy." They simply don’t do anything wrong but they don’t generally grab me. My mind can easily wander when listening.
The reason I said I may never replace them is because I can listen for hours on end with absolutely no fatigue.
I’ve tried them with many different amps of different strengths and in an almost infinite number of positions within my room but the speakers simply are what they are. They sound best in the corners, set up exactly how Audio Note (and I assume Peter Snell) say to set them up. Driving them in this position with 2, 4, 8, 16, 20 or 250 watts doesn’t bring about the difference that I’m looking for.

But, in the end, I will not trade long-term listening enjoyment for excitement. 


exlibris
438 posts
 
mitch2,

I actually do use a high-pass filter between the preamp and the main amp. The main speakers are now down 3dB at 60Hz (9dB at 30Hz etc.). The device is passive and uses a small Audio Note UK capacitor.  This takes a lot of strain off the main amplifier. 60Hz and below is largely covered by the subwoofer system.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,526 posts
 
Fritz Carerra.
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