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What is your favorite High EFF speaker

Hello Everyone!


The most interesting item on my horizon lately are high efficiency speakers. 


Better said, speakers which can easily be driven by amps whose output is from 15 to 70wpc. And likely lower, ala 300B  amps, or a pr of Els or KTs, etc. there are a ton of 30 to 75wpc tube amps out there that perform at fascinating levels, and are very interesting. 


Having exactly no EXP in this realm other than a former interlude with Silverline Sonata IIIs (reputedly 93db, @ 8 ohms) some time back, I’m asking for members EXP on current or  recent production  speakers  still available you have used which check all the boxes IYO.


 imaging, resolution, bottom end accuracy, impact and honesty.


I listen to sensible  music. Nothing urban or inner city, rave, etc.., but I do enjoy twisting up the ‘fun’ knob on the preamp from time to time. 


Many thanks.


blindjim
spenav
503 posts
 
Hi Blindjim
Like everything else in life, it’s always more complicated than it seems. High efficiency is only half of the equation when it comes to selecting an amp in terms of wattage for a speaker. The speaker impedance might fall rather low (3 ohms or lower) in some cases for several octaves. These speakers are not necessarily bad, just difficult to drive although the efficiency might be high. So as much as you can, listen to the pair with your own music in your own environment before making a final decision. Hope that helps. 
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

@spenav4

Naturally. Been there and done that already.

Thanks.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,976 posts
 
From my experience and my preference for best in high eff is an upgraded Shearer horn design or a full custom built horn system from an expert. But these are large horns small in horns in a major compromise. 

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,169 posts
 
LP caveat was to have ten ft at least from the spkrs.

And I never delved into what or how the adjustments on the driver’s power supplies or other controls accomplished or why?
@blindjim I sit closer than 10 feet; they work fine if you're sitting down (this is all about the tweeter blending properly). You need to be 10 feet or more only if standing up. The power supplies are simply set to a particular current to energize the field coils and then left alone.

My speakers are the T-3s and IMO/IME they have bass very similar to that of the T-1s; the T-3 cuts off at 22Hz instead of 20Hz, but I had John make my T-3s a bit taller so they would cut off at 20Hz :)  the mids and highs are nearly identical.
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 

@atmasphere
The power supplies are simply set to a particular current to energize the field coils and then left alone.

blindjim>
thanks.

22Hz, I could live with that.

You mentioned with a 16 ohm IMP speaker system, amp consideration is important.

In what respect?

As I would think an amp with 20wpc > should be enough to push them. Albeit the caveat as usual would be any amp’s voice/performance falling in line with one’s own preffs.

IMO I’d visualize a setup of T3s with 30 or better glass monos, or something akin to one of the Pass labs similar but SS monos.

I forget exactly what JW said when he mentioned they enjoyed power in the ranges of 30 to 60wpc.

Perhaps for the lower end 15 in. Driver to perform best/better?

Only hearing his T1s with your 60wpc monos was impressive. Especially in that immense room, standing well back and far off center as we spoke.

Many, many thanks.
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