Basic question about sensitivity

I went back and had a look at John Atkinson’s measurements for your V12. On paper, even accounting for the 4 Ohm tap, they don’t look like an ideal match for one another - due to the tough load and limited efficiency. However, a lot depends on what kind of music you listen to and what volume you listen at.

Wow, thanks, @yoyoyaya ! I suppose I should be looking at something with similar specs to my current but aged 805s (sensitivity of 87 or greater and 8 ohm minimal impedance). My online window shopping I have been doing at Music Direct was starting to focus on the Wharfedale Elysian 1 with AMT tweeter, but considering the specs, a nominal impedance of 4 ohms and minimal impedance of 3.8 ohms (sensitivity 89) that impedance might make them tough for the Cary.

I will say that right now, and probably for some time to come, my listening is happening at a fairly near field in a small room, and usually consists of smaller jazz or folk presentations usually featuring a female vocalist and I am not cranking it to excessive levels.

I wonder if Klipsch should be on my radar at all? A while back ago in another thread I had asked about impressions of the Mobile Fidelity Source Point speakers, and @soix had recommended Joseph Audio Prisms and even sent me a link for a used pair. I haven’t contacted the seller about an audition period yet, but I wasn’t ruling them out, either.

Any significant upgrade with modern speaker can turn out a downgrade so take that into consideration. It was the best monitor they've ever produced. They're easy to drive with tube amps, because of their stable impedance. 

Thank you for responding @czarivey  , to be totally honest, I do not have a great understanding about this hobby, but I suppose in one respect, I am like most everybody else, and always wondering what the weak link is and what it would sound like if I upgraded past it.  When I bought those B&Ws way back in nineteen-ninety-something, I was so happy with them that I didn't even think about them as a weak link and I kept on upgrading the electtronics in front of them, and lately I was thinking that I had the front end to speaker ratio skewed.  And that is what prompted the recent "windo shopping" I have been doing.

@OP There is no problem using a 4 ohm speaker with your V12 as long as the speaker is fairly close to it's nominal impedance. But you probably want something in the region 87dB. But if you are sill happy with your 805s, I wouldn't be rushing out to change them.

Any significant upgrade with modern speaker can turn out a downgrade so take that into consideration. It was the best monitor they've ever produced. They're easy to drive with tube amps, because of their stable impedance.

But if you are sill happy with your 805s, I wouldn't be rushing out to change them.

@czarivey  and @yoyoyaya  thanks, that might be the best advice for me to live by for the time being. 

AOP - you're welcome.