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Kef R3s with Tube Amp?

I'm thinking about going back to stand mount speakers. Currently I have Tekton Lore II and PrimaLuna Integrate. Currently running KT150s which did help compared to EL34s but not too much over KT88s. The Tektons seem to like the extra horse power, however, despite the 98db sensitivity. Brimar 12AU7s.I'm looking at KEF R3s but as they are 86.1DB not sure they will match too well with tubes. Also considering B&W 705 S2s or B&W 706S2.My listening room is 15x25x7.5, carpeted with a good bit of furniture. The only other speaker I've considered is the Klipsch Heritage Heresy III. Not a stand moun, obviously, but smaller than the Lores. They (Lores) need space to thrive and I don't think they are well suited for this room.So if anyone has direct listening experience with the KEF R3s & Tube amp I'd appreciate any input. Open to other suggestions too. Unfortunately, where I live I have to travel at least an hour to get near any Audio outlet, and I'm done buying via on-line reviews by so-called "professional" reviewers!
wcc10
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,322 posts
 
Tekton speakers are currently on carpet, floors are hardwood over plywood.

Yes that sounds like typical suspended plywood floor used in most homes these days. If the bass sound too big and muddy, with detail lacking top to bottom, I’d strongly recommend trying isolation pads, like Auralex sub-dudes or something similar under the floor-standers. The floor interactions not only muddy the bass, but that muddied bass also obscures detail in the mid-range. It’s a fairly inexpensive tweak that usually pays big dividends.

wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
Cool. I'll look into it. Sounds like a simple & inexpensive tweak!
wcc10 OP
119 posts
 
Actually I was wrong about the floor. In this part of the house it's hard wood over Tongue & Groove. But you got me thinking and I think I'll try a home made idea to isolate them. See how that works!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,322 posts
 
Worth a try. Carpet covered solid concrete foundation is the most rigid and vibration resistant kind of floor. Most others are subject to some degree, especially if not at foundation level. Suspended plywood in upper levels is generally the worst. Carpets over hardwood in front of speakers usually also helps by reducing high frequency floor reflections that may reach your listening position.
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