2. speakers
  3. 192075-195446

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
ristretto OP
4 posts
 

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.

immatthewj
1,953 posts
 

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.

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,791 posts
 

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.

 

 

gotog
133 posts
 

I think the Harbeth P3ESR XD is really special in a small room near-field listening application like you describe— especially with the type of music you like to listen to.

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,396 posts
 

I do not think 20 wpc is enough for low efficiency speakers in a small room, just not loud enough for some material/occasions. Some peaks will be out of gas.

Low efficiency speakers, I would want a 30-45 wpc tube amp, and that's too much heat for a small room, so, rather than solid state amp, I would go for efficient speakers, a 10" woofer helps.

Let's not forget the Iron Law, for Bass, you gotta move a lot of air. I prefer larger woofer to smaller 'long throw' and ports, and using corners to get more out of a 6-1/5" (or even smaller), or use a single non-directional self-powered sub like I did with the Wharfedale's 6.5" vented.

You want to remove the low frequencies from your main low powered amp, so neither the amp nor the speakers try to produce low bass.

I am enjoying my 10 wpc tube amp, just enough with the 90db efficiency AR-2ax. More power would be nice on rare occasions, or more efficient speakers would be smartest, but what might sound as good as these AR-2ax's.

More to discover