High Efficiency Options?


I’m thinking about assembly a pretty modest second system based on tubes. I think for a basic el34 amp most speakers 85db or higher would satisfy but I’d like to play with low powered tube amps. System will be in a small bedroom and I won’t use it to listen loud often, so I’m thinking anything in high 80db range will work. To give you an idea of my taste I use Harbeth c7s with Primaluna seperates fed from my Audio Mirror Tubadour and Auralic Aries. I don’t have a large budget for speakers, probably 1,000-1,500, and I’ll buy used. I have decent grasp of what’s available for the most part, but not really when it comes to high efficiency speakers. I know of Zu and Tekton but don’t find what I’ve read about them too appealing. Outside of those two I’m not really sure what’s out there in my price range. Any ideas or recommendations would be much appreciated. 

brylandgoodman

High 80s is not high efficiency. It’s only average at best. Think mid 90s to 100 db. Even if you aren’t going to listen loud, higher efficiency translates to better micro and macro dynamics even at lower volumes.

At the upper end of your budget you can probably pick up a used pair of Klipsch Heresys. Reference 3a deCapos come to mind too. Both of these are what I’d call higher efficiency speakers.

Going with a high efficiency amp opens up many many choices these days.  Just saying. 

I use Ref 3A de Capos 92db with a 4 watt Decware mini torii not overly loud but good enough in a 12x22 room open on the side

I also use a Klipsch Quartet with a 6 watt Grommes PHI-26, they are big but sound very live