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

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 .

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 

Appreciate all the responses so far. Having been away from this hobby for 30 years, I’ll admit I haven’t heard of half the brands listed. But there should be at least a handful of stores in the area available for demos.

@freediver, my original post title was getting cut off (apparently the “<“ character screwed things up) so I asked Tammy to delete and I reposted.

@audiotroy, the Apogees have 85 dB sensitivity and are 6 ohms nom, yet I’m cranking the volume well past noon to even start getting realistically “loud” levels. I will be getting an spl meter just to gauge myself, but my objective is to find speakers that offer more of that “palpable presence”, if you will.

But there should be at least a handful of stores in the area available for demos.

It looks like Crutchfield carries a couple of them, and I think they do have a 60 day audition period.

the volume knob means nothing if it gets loud enough thats all that matters 

 

most modern loud speakers  will have great presence the apogee centuars were okay sounding  in there day.