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

chenry

OP is planning for a small 6’ listening triangle, that might be a bit close to that model JBL.

He mentioned a new Black Ice integrated tube amp, I presume, like me, tube heat in small room, a low powered one. I see they have 12 wpc and 25 wpc models. I never heard Black Ice.

My office, for years I used a Tandberg SS Receiver I liked; after I broke it a Carver Cube SS for years (both from Harvey’s NYC used shelf), because I found my Vintage Fisher 30 wpc mono blocks too much heat for my office.

Redesigned in 2019 for low power tubes/imaging placement the Little Luxman 10 wpc tube amp I took a chance on is the lowest power I ever had, and I subsequently lucked into acquiring a restored pair of AR-2ax Speakers because of a ’nostalgia’ discussion here.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/is-there-any-one-piece-of-vintage-gear-you-most-wished-you-owned

I got them for downstairs, assumed too big for the office, but thought, why not hear them with the Luxman compared to the Wharfedales and self-powered sub. So darn good I kept them here, gave the Wharfedales to my son, and got the 2nd pair of AR-2ax’s I restored myself, those standing ear height horizontal on shelves in my work area in the Garage/Shop system.

When in my office (retired now) I always think of Cousin Brucie (AM) and Alison Steele (FM) as my original pair were new in early 1968, working thru the nights while at college in Brooklyn (Pratt Institute)1966-1970. I was ransacked, they were small enough for the thieves to get them out the window, I always missed them.

I finally re-found the AR-2ax specs, they are 91.5db sensitivity

https://stereonomono.blogspot.com/2014/05/acoustic-research-ar-2ax.html

Take a look at TEKTON

LORE  98 db 1w @ 1m

URUZ  98db 2.83V @ 1m

PERFECT SET 96 db 2.83V @ 1m

Many options available it's worth a trip to the interweb, and then a phone call to the man himself to design yours.

ps, pair of Lore speakers had better be under the tree

If you find an AudioNote AN-K or J in your price range, buy them, perfect for a small room as they are designed for corner placement. Very musical speaker and perfect for low power tube amps in your power range, basicaly they were designed for 20wpc.

Personnaly i find them better then the harbeths, Spendors at similar size. just finding a set in your budget will be the hard part, if you can stretch a bit it would be worth it.

Like these ones, note canadian $ so take 32% off and leave the standes behind should get you very close. 

Audionote UK AN/JD hemp speakers with stands For Sale - Canuck Audio Mart

I’ve had apogee stages and currently Maggies.  In between I had a low power system with Spatial Audio open baffle speakers.  They are very efficient. For me closest to the ribbon sound soundstage I like.  

I've been through all sorts of speakers from B&W to Verity. 20 years ago I bought a pair of Devore Super 8's and loved them. Kept them a year and went through the line, moved to Verity, Harbeth etc. back and forth, Daedalus, etc...

I recently bought an old pair of Super 8's locally, intending to set them up in the basement. Ended up selling the Harbeth's, taking the old Leben out of the closet, and here I am feeling like 30 years old again. Might get an 18 inch sub to add to my SVS 3000 (It's tough to find a speaker with good mids and bass for under $20k),  buy a new server and take the family on vacation.

Next stop, Rockport lol.