What would you buy

Tube amp sound is dominated by the output transformers
as for efficiency, so often higher output is just trash - out of phase junk that counts as output.

Both statements above are not really accurate. What about OTLs- they have no output transformer (and drive the Vandys quite nicely).  I've heard plenty of speakers with greater efficiency that are great- they higher output they have is just fine.


As far a sub, the Swarm is an excellent choice, being one of the best out there. No room correction needed, because it gets rid of problems with standing waves, and flat to 20Hz. If the bass below 80Hz were filtered out of the amp for the Vandys, 60 watts would be plenty in a room of this size. This is easy to do; we've made passive crossovers for Vandersteens a good number of times in the past.

Just one problem, atmasphere, and sorry to say because this may be the death knell, but you are absolutely right and I agree completely. You even suggest a mod, which I have done many times and agree with as well. Sorry. Sorry.

Perhaps consider selling your speakers and pick up Vandy 3a sigs?  

I’m impressed with what Rel subs  do for sound. Not only do they add bass but they add a bigger sound stage and air to your main speakers. They also connect to your speaker output of your amp, making a dedicated sub output unnecessary. I can’t argue against the swarm since I’ve never heard it. But I can see where it may have a WAF problem.

BTW, the Sumiko subs are a Rel clone and offer the same connections and results.