Building the Audio Note Kit 1 SET amp...

Mapman:
Interesting thoughts.
I've heard the newer Klipsch gear dismissed with the same "mid-fi" label/attitude as some people talk about Bose... although not quite as forcefully! My concern with Klipsch these days is that they are making so many different speaker models that it's hard to tell what's what. Amazon.com alone has a dizzying range of Klipsch speakers for sale. But if anybody knows of a great one in the sub-2K dollar range, I'd be glad to check it out.
As for single drivers, I spoke to Louis, the owner-designer of Omega, sometime last week. He does offer a 30-day trial. If you look at that single driver thread I started, though, a lot of the chatter was VERY negative. My gut from what I've read is that a wide-range driver topped off by a tweeter for the highest frequencies is the way to go. But again, if any of you have heard an efficient, single-driver speaker in the sub $2K price range that you liked, let us know!

Klipsch forte 2 used are the ones I have taken notice of most. 99db efficiency I believe is the spec.

Hmm negative reactions to Klipsch a line that has probably sold more speakers and been around longer than 90% of the lines around here. Not exclusive enough I suppose. In any case used forte 2 can be had for 500 or so used in good shape and have a big following so no problem would be had reselling. You never know until you try. I have heard several of their more modern lines as well and thought them to be quite good even off modest amplification. Hard to beat for high efficiency per $$$ which matters a lot with just a few watts to play with.

New Klipsch Heresy II that just fit your budget new reviewed by Absolute Sound.

THese are the other Klipsch that stay on my radar screen for affordable true high efficiency speakers. Older versions come up used for less regularly. These were originally made with low power tube amps in mind back in the day.

Mapman, with a low-end that only reaches down to 58hz why would Rebbi want this speaker? the deCapo goes deeper and is better all-round. Rebbi's small complaint was that the DeCapo did not capture the lower octave on stuff with Synth bass with his 300B. The Heresy is even less capable in that regard.

Rebbi's small complaint was that the DeCapo did not capture the lower octave on stuff with Synth bass with his 300B.

Rob, more precisely the complaint was that the amp clips when reproducing that and other material having high volume content at deep bass frequencies. Clipping, in turn, results in distortion of ALL frequencies that may be simultaneously present, including harmonics and other frequency components produced by the synth at much higher frequencies, as well as notes that may be simultaneously produced by other instruments or singers.

Resolving that problem while continuing to use the Kit 1 amp calls for a speaker having considerably greater efficiency than the De Capo provides. How well and to what degree the speaker can reproduce deep bass frequencies is a separate question.

Although the Klipsch's 99 db/1W/1m efficiency rating is arguably somewhat optimistic, as is pointed out in the review, it is undoubtedly MUCH more efficient than the De Capo.

My comment should not be interpreted, however, as advocacy for the Klipsch.

Best regards,
-- Al