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Seeking speakers under $3K for 10x12 ft room and driven by 20wpc tube amp

I currently have a pair of Apogee Acoustics Centaur Minors driven by a new Black Ice integrated tube amp. The small but dedicated listening room means I’m doing near-field listening with me and the speakers forming a 6’ triangle. As you might expect, these speakers have terrific midrange but at 85dB sensitivity they are a bit difficult to drive and feel limited in dynamics. The room is acoustically treated.


I almost exclusively listen to small combo acoustic jazz and vocals and I’m seeking recommendations for something easier to drive and more dynamic that provides a more “palpable presence” of the musicians when played at louder levels. Prefer small floorstanders for aesthetics but not essential and preferably a brand where I might have a chance to audition them (I’m in SoCal). Also open to used (e.g. something like Wilson Cubs). TIA!

p.s. thanks for the Sonus faber suggestion.

ristretto
grinnell
1,097 posts
 

I second the Reference 3A de Capos. i use mine with a 4 watt tube amp and the room is 12 x 22 and plenty loud and with great full sound even low volume.

 

I've hear soem Omegas and that is another great choice

trivema's avatar
trivema
88 posts
 

Look at used Klipsch Forte IIIs, should fit your price range.  I also have a 6-7 foot listening triangle and a 20 wpc integrated tube amp w 300b driving 845 tubes. I usually listen 55-60 dB levels, not too loud but loud enough to feel bass punch and textures of detail. I’ve integrated a 12 inch Klipsch subwoofer at a level where you can hear/feel the bass, but can’t “see” the subwoofer. 
 

System synergy important, as are room acoustics and speaker placement along with good, but not necessarily expensive interconnects and cables. When the lights are down low, and the tubes aglow, the speakers disappear and you’d swear Grace Mahya is in the room with you. 

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,791 posts
 

You are overthinking this with this, size room 20 watts will work with nearly any loudspeaker.

 

Even with a low efficiency monitor 20 watts will get you plenty loud enough

 

Look at a pair of Elac carinas 85db sensitivity will be loud at 85db the roon is very small and 85db is plenty loud for such a small room.

so you can look at nearly any loudspeaker.

I would be more concerned, with impedance and current deliver, however most 2 way compact, and affordable, monitors will be easy to drive.

 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

Elac, Legacy, Kef Atc , Dali, Cabasse, dealers

 

kennymacc
403 posts
 

I would strongly recommend one of the smaller Revel PerformaBE speakers. The performance-to-dollar value of the Revel PerformaBe speakers is off-the-charts!!! Beryllium tweeters, super tight, deep bass, 90 db, and beautifully constructed. The combination of the smooth Beryllium tweeters and your tubes, would be a match made in heaven. For your room, I would definitely go with one of Revel’s small PerformaBE floor standers. You’ll most definitely get your money’s worth with Revel speakers .

silverfoxvtx1800
149 posts
 

I bought a pair of Opera Prima Bookshelf speakers made in Italy from Mikey at 11  stereo…just beautiful to look at and sound amazing…using a Naim Uniti Atom 40w per channel…for my wife art studio…just amazing…

Charles from Puyallup 

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