High Efficiency Speakers Your top 3 or more

I've heard the Classic Audio Loudspeaker, both T-1 and T-3 many times. The recent field-coil versions are remarkable. They are faster and just as detailed as the best electrostatics, yet very relaxed, and image easily. They are also very cohesive. The beryllium diaphragms used are custom-built. The have no breakups until about 40KHz, so the speakers are exceptionally smooth, even more than the Cogent, which uses phenolic diaphragms (or at least, did the last time I heard them).

The speaker also is easy to set up- you don't have to have it far from the walls to make it image well. It has bandwidth to 20Hz, and is about 99 db 1 watt/1 meter and 16 ohms. So you can shake the walls with a fairly small amplifier. IOW not only is this one of the best speakers you can buy at any price, but it is also easy to drive.

I'm still waiting for the worlds first field coil version of a Walsh driver based system.

Dale Harder, are you out there?

I'm assuming that could raise the efficiently level of Walsh drivers significantly to enable them be be driven optimally by more different kinds of amps, including tube amps.

In my mind, that could be an all time pinnacle in achievable sound quality, if it were possible.

Mapman, I would like to hear that also.

I have never heard the field coil Shindo Labs LaTour speakers but have heard the field coil Feastrex drivers. Forget using them full range, but wow from 60 Hz to 20k Hz.

One side note. I think the emergence of very high quality class D amps provides a new alternative that makes it more practical for many to get the most out of less efficient, harder to drive designs in a manner that is competitive with high efficiency speakers running of similarly good amplifiation. I've gone this direction recently with my system and I think I have pretty much pushed it to the limit, or at least close to the limit of what is possible using conventional magnets. I do think powered field coils would be capable of pushing that limit significantly further if done well, though the cost would be quite high I assume.

"03-28-10: Tvad
Mmike84, you never mentioned price range (or ceiling), or room size restrictions (if there are any).

Do any of these criteria matter, or is your question intended to be as broad as possible?
Tvad (Threads | Answers)"

Sorry for my tardy reply. I didn't want to limit it as I'm looking for a comprehensive resource (for me and others) of all of the high efficiency speakers that exist.

However I am looking for my own purposes so I could say less than $15k, and preferably less than $10k. My room is pretty big (18x25) and open behind the listening position.

I have been considering Coincident Pure Reference or TV IV's but I'm fearful of spending that much on a speaker I've never heard (and cannot unless I am willing to go to the factory). What if I decided not to keep it? I'd lose a lot of $.

But I am by no means decided. Audio Notes, Audiokinesis, and Tonians (these were added as a result of this thread)are definitely up for consideration.

One serious limitation I have is I can only bring them out about 18" unless they are light enough they can be moved out and back. Audio notes actually prefer that (from what I've heard) and so have a real advantage. I'm going to drag my amps up to Audio Federation and give them another listen. Primarily because I highly respect the opinions about them from many of you.