High Efficiency Speakers Your top 3 or more

MMike84,

Is it a safe assumption that you are looking for different speakers to go along with your tube gear? You aren't looking to replace the amp you have with a SET are you? That makes a big difference I would think on what speakers would work well. I don't think you need super high efficiency speakers necessarily with your amp. I would think 89-90db and a smooth 8 ohm load more or less is all that would be needed for your stuff to sing!

All of my favorites were custom-built speakers using old parts, particularly Western Electric drivers and horns (all insanely expensive too). Of the commercial speakers, I like the pair I own (S.A.P. J2001: twin 12" woofers (paper drivers and pleated paper surrounds) in an Onken cabinet, horn midrange, Fostex bullet tweeter).

Most high efficiency speakers have pretty significant tonal aberrations, but, some are reasonably neutral. I like the big Classic Audio Reproduction speakers (I believe the model number is the T-1), and the EdgarHorn system (these are tonally quite good, but they do give up a little of the extreme speed and dynamics compared to some other horn systems). Classic Audio Reproductions also makes a copy of the JBL Hartsfield that sounded pretty good.

As to the Audionote speakers, I like the sound of those speakers too, though I prefer what I own. But, given their compact size, and the ability to use them in the corners or along the back wall, they are VERY practical speakers as well as ones that sound pretty good. The cheaper models are outright bargains, the more expensive ones are exemplars of the law of diminishing return -- your have to pay a LOT more for ever decreasing increments of improvement. Ultimately, they deliver the goods if one can afford them.

A friend has a single driver system with Feastrix drivers. It is currently a work in progress, but, the sound is quite promising. I think the tonal balance and reasonable lack of sibilance in the high end put them way ahead of any Lowther-based systems I've heard.

Legacy Focus. >95db/2.83v. Of course, it's probably not a speaker you'd choose for a SET amp, because it has very low impedance in some key frequency ranges.

MMike84,

Is it a safe assumption that you are looking for different speakers to go along with your tube gear? You aren't looking to replace the amp you have with a SET are you? That makes a big difference I would think on what speakers would work well. I don't think you need super high efficiency speakers necessarily with your amp. I would think 89-90db and a smooth 8 ohm load more or less is all that would be needed for your stuff to sing!
Mapman (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

My system on audiogon is not updated. I am currently running electrostats with two big VAC amps, one each in mono for each speaker. Yes they sound really really good together. One of the best combinations I've ever found. But I'm changing directions.

However I think high efficiency designs don't necessarily limit you to low powered tubes they just enable that option. Personally and in general I have found that high efficiency designs can sound good regardless of the amplification except in cases of extreme mismatches. I think in many cases it's complicated crossovers that reduce the efficiency of the drivers in those speakers more so than the drivers themselves. The more complicated the crossover is the better the speaker designer has to be to design it correctly, and almost without fail the less efficient the speaker will be. That necessitates high power push pull tube amps, and SS.

I agree solid state can be impressive. Showy, dynamic, etc. But in general tubes are more musical to me, and the added texture and dimension that you get makes even less sparkly highs, or less impactful bass sound more real. In otehr words the trade offs are not worth it, to me.

But just like wine not everyone values the same thing. If you listen to Radiohead most of the time my current set up would be unbeatable. However I listen to a lot of different music and it's mostly acoustic. I'll give up tight bass, and resolution for musicality. 5 years ago I would not have said that. So either my ears have gotten more refined, or they have gotten less refined, or my tatses have changed, I'm not sure which. Another may prefer something else and that's OK. I've owned some systems some would call the pinnacle of SS, and I now own a system that is at the top of the high power push pull tube class. I don't label one approach superior. They each have their strengths and weaknesses.

I've been following this thread closely (through all the exciting twist and turns); I really have nothing to add other than I'm on a similar pursuit. The Audio Notes ARE wonderful, although I just demo-ed a pair in my listening room and sadly they weren't as magical as I've heard them elsewhere. I blame it on my listening room. My long wall setup has no corners and the alternative short wall configuration has only one corner plus the speakers can only be 2ft from the wall. I really wanted these speakers to work in my space. I may still jump at picking up a used pair in the future.

As others have mentioned, and which I hope to hear soon, the Audiokinesis Jazz Modules is up there on my A list; as well as the Tannoy Kensington if I can find a pair to try at home (it will require several strong buddies to haul them in). Another idea that hasn't been mentioned is to patiently wait for John DeVore's Orangutans to be released.