Highly efficient speakers to pair with my SET amp

Hi All,

I am the evil friend that Betsy mentioned, the one who is intending to drive every last bit of pleasure from her listening experiences, and instead transforming those into a set of analytical exercises!

Even though there is some truth to having introduced Betsy to the potential for quality musical reproduction, I'd much rather help her along that path without making her too crazy. Like most of us, she does seem to enjoy the chase. Nice of all of you who offered suggestions with that same intention.

I think that Betsy's rig sounds pretty darned good, and as David12 suggested, her 18 watt amp drives her 89db Paradigms very well if not quite to ear-bleed levels. If I had to guess what she hears in my rig (that _might_ be missing from hers) are some degree of micro details and spatial information. In my own experiences, a good match between amplifier power and loudspeaker efficiency (and impedance) can help that.

Therefore, I suggested that she consider speakers that are somewhat more efficient (say 92db from 89db) and have an impedance curve that is kinder to tube amps. Her Paradigms are excellent for the money, but their impedance curve is far from ideal for moderately powered tube amps.

So, I don't think she necessarily needs anything in the 100db range--although I do think she would like flea powered SETs--and that she might find a nice improvement in speakers designed for tube amps.

And Mrjstark... not sure how you gathered it from her posts, but you are correct; she's a gem.

Bob

Betsy - I may be able to provide suggestions depending on where you are located. For instance, there is a pair of JBL L-200 speakers for sale in Tennessee that would sound good as is and which could be used as the foundation for a world class horn system.....but shipping would be very difficult and expensive.
Near Toronto, Canada, there is an itinerant horn maker who has been in the biz for 30 years and who has heard everything and worked with most of it. He consults for many companies you have heard about but has no desire to be involved in the commercial aspects of consumer audio. He does, however, sell the best horns available today and offer expert advice with an eye toward economy.
There are others.

Emerald Physics open baffle speakers have 92dB+ efficiency and they sound great. I have the KCIIs, which should be awesome with your low powered amp
They have a few pair with Carbon Fiber drivers on sale right now for $1999, including shipping
hth

What does Betsy like about Bob's sound? 

I owned an Almarro 318B for several years.That was a very good amplifier.They are really more like 12 watts though.They work well with some of the vintage Tannoys.The Tannoy Cheviot [HPD315] for example.Or the Monitor Gold 15.Not the HPD 385 though as the bass can get a bit boomy with them and a SET.Or there are some modern Tannoys which should match well including the reissued Cheviot.Harbeth and Audio Note speakers should also work well.

With a SET you are best off with speakers that are true 8 ohm loads and that do not dip down much below 6 ohms.Avoid 4 ohm speakers.