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Suggestions for higher efficiency speakers

Interested in trying lower watt tube SET or class A amps.  After hearing about the 'magic' for years I feel it's about time I give it a listen.  But, don't think my current speakers are efficient enough (please correct me if I'm wrong about this).  I have Snell Type D at around 87 dB and Gallo 3.1 at around 88.  Not exactly inefficient but could be better.  I have used my Jolida 502 brc (60 watt) with the Snells and it sounds great.  About to try the Jolida with the newer Gallos.  I have read that they work well with tubes, eager to find out.  

Looking for suggestions for efficient speakers under $2k.  I know most horns qualify but, unfortunately, I have never been a big fan of the Klipsch sound.  Of course there are other brands to check out.  

I am in the process of researching amps right now. Seems like there are a few nice options in my lower price range.  If you want to throw a few amp suggestions out there too that's great.

Thanks!
pkatsuleas
mahlman
433 posts
 
A group of us met with Roy Delgado in October at the Klipsch factory for a teaching session on why PW Klipsch did what he did and why Roy does what he does regarding speaker design. One of the sessions had the new Heresy, a vast improvement, the new Forte, some improvement, the Cornwall 4, an unbelievable improvement and last the newest La Scala which was basically the same old same old but very pretty.
  The speaker that really ruled the roost though was that yummy Jubilee and we heard all of them in Roy's sound lab. Same room same everything with the speakers being played one after the other and pro gear ruled that day.


   Roy's comment on pro gear vs home owner gear as he stated himself on the klipsch forum goes like this.  11-24-18  "

Definitely not helping to make your point. It’s obvious that you did not understand what I wrote. In case you don’t know, Paul’s four points; high efficiency, low distortion, controlled directivity, and controlled freq response. That’s what I am for and as long as I can help it, that will be the case. Will a Cornwall sound good in a typical living room?  Yep. Will a ki396, 904 or even a grand system......you betcha. You gain headroom, headroom, headroom. Did I mention headroom?  There is no compromise on the acoustic goals but only with what physics and economics limits us. Like bass extension and price points. So before you categorically decide that pro speakers are lacking the attributes of a home system, go listen to one. And now I really hope you get it.......meanwhile back to bass fishing.

"
mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
I hear the inside of a large horn, in a typical living room environment, and I prefer to be further from them, when listening. What do YOU not understand ? You are like so many other people here......that folks need to like, what you like.....The advantage I have had for 50 years, is that I was a consultant to listeners, with all kinds of equipment, speakers, listening rooms, musical preferences, and of course, a wide range of budgets. No sense in arguing. I happen to know, that each listener is an INDIVIDUAL...you do not accept this, nor understand this. A Vandersteen owner might not like a Klipsch, of whatever product line it is. Not everyone will like the same thing. I love horns, all day long, but each horn, and yes I have heard many pro horns, have certain places where they sound best, TO ME...You just don’t get it, mahlman....Enjoy your journey, as I will enjoy mine......MrD.
mahlman
433 posts
 
Oh I can agree with we have different preferences and you are an evangelist for your flavor as I am for mine. I mostly want people to listen to my suggestions before making choices they spend money on because a fully informed buyer who has listened to speakers in question is able to make a good choice. My main gripe is the pro stuff is dismissed by way to many who have never heard them and have a bias against them because they were told they were bad. Not because they listened and decided they were bad. IF you have heard them all and make a decision based upon that that's one thing I can respect.

  I meet very few who do make the time to listen though and I think it is a shame for so much uninformed reasoning to be so prevalent.
alexberger
935 posts
 
If talking about professional speakers why don't mention Altecs 604 and 605.
They wery easy to drive. They work good in midsized room.
They are point source speakers as result a very good sounstage.
Thay don't have high frequencies and bass extention but the have great defenition from mid bass to upper midrange. They have great midrange, tone and musicality.
And if you like old records from 50 and 60. The mosts of them were prduced in studios that used these monitors. Even, in Abbey Road studio when Beatles were recorded used Altec 605 monitors .
phusis's avatar
phusis
1,223 posts
 
... My main gripe is the pro stuff is dismissed by way to many who have never heard them and have a bias against them because they were told they were bad. Not because they listened and decided they were bad. IF you have heard them all and make a decision based upon that that's one thing I can respect.

I meet very few who do make the time to listen though and I think it is a shame for so much uninformed reasoning to be so prevalent. 

@mahlman --

I can relate to this, and I would agree. Let's face it - we're up against a lot here; a whole industry and an established hifi-community that for decades has created and nurtured a "paradigm" or accepted way-of-thinking into the reproduction of music in a domestic environment. Within restrictions that field is diverse, but, by and large - from my chair - it's the same record played over and over again, year after year (although they would like to trick us into believing the cover changes). I've had enough of the swooning over this so-called "development" into further refinement and polarization of the market, and would rather see the striving for macro parameters where physics have its say, meat and potato wise - and contrary to what many believe that's not necessarily excluding refinement.  
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