Single driver speakers without the pitfalls?

I'd agree large dual concentric drivers in a large box like the big Tannoys (have never heard) is probably the optimal approach for use with low wattage amps, especially for more near field listening scenarios. Dual concentric has less unique advantage listening from a distance where drivers can blend more naturally due to more distant listening perspective.

KEF is big on dual concentric speakers, but not for low power tube amps in particular.

I mentioned nearfield listening. There are many more options there for low power amps due to proximity to speakers.

Driver assemblies that approximate a point source (like single or dual concentric) will have an advantage from a coherency perspective for nearfield listening scenarios in particular, but other designs that approximate a point source as well to various degrees may work quite well, depending on exact listening perspective.

Small studio monitors are commonly used in pro apps for more nearfield listening scenarios. Of course headphones play a huge role there also for good reason.

Whenever the low end is offloaded to a good sub or two, teh options for mains always becomes greater, almost unlimited.

Practically, if it were me, I would lean towards a two driver approach off loading the bass to a better qualified design as needed. In the case of a low power SET amp, that would mean separate powered subs in most rooms.

Offloading bass to a sub when needed is pretty much the only solution. You can add the subs yourself, the most practical and flexible solution I think, or buy a large speaker that has what is needed built in already.

Reb,

I have a pair of STAX earphones that are quite wonderful sounding, especially with good amplification. If there is a SET amp in my future, it might be for those and it might even lead me to upgrade to a bigger better pair of STAX.

For speakers, small planars (Magnepan) or eletrostats (ML or similar) plus separate well integrated subs is something I would consider building around a SET amp. These speakers can be surprisingly tube amp friendly, but not particularly efficient, so powered subs would be the ticket. THis is the approach MArtyKL uses with his MMGs, OHMs, and others I believe, though not sure if he has ever tried this with a SET amp per se.

Rebbi, your are correct that my DCA 4 driver is no longer made. I believe these were a single run only. If I were to pick another driver to install it would be the Jordan.

Rebbi,

If you are thinking DIY speakers at this point as well (not a bad idea for flexibility) mount the single full range driver of choice in a cabinet, tweak the cabinet as needed, add a sub or two as needed, and you are done with a very nice DIY system (save source).

I see Dale Harder sells German Physiks DDD like Walsh drivers for DIY now. You can go full circle!! :^)

PRobably not real efficient, but assuming its not a hard load to drive (charts I have seen indicate OHM Walsh drivers at least are not, at least not until you get down into the bass regions that a sub can cover)and cross over the right sub at high enough frequency and you might really have something.

OR just stay with conventional directional full range drivers depending on preference. Either way might work.

I'm not really thinking of building my own speakers at this point, but I'm trying to learn more about the "full range" drivers that so many people seem to like to pair with SET amps. I'm also curious about Tekton, since their models are very competitively priced and very efficient (as in 94 db and up).