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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
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,714 posts
 

@immatthewj Those non ported speakers would be fine in the size room and type of music that the OP listens to! He should make an offer on them!!

jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
422 posts
 

Fritz Carbons would not be too much for the room.  I have a similar size room and use the Rev 7se.  I have port plugs and  when I use them it does not diminish the tone of the speakers.  I usually have them unplugged and they work well for me.  I also have a pair of Falcon Acoustics Q7s that might work for you.  They are a slightly deeper cabinet version of the LS 3/5a.  They would work well with the music you like but I’m not sure about the amp pairing.  They are only 83-84db sensitivity but are 15 ohm.

erik_squires
16,176 posts
 

Fritz is a great choice!! Like a lot of 2-way monitors, they do best in reasonably well treated rooms.  More reflective rooms will tilt the balance towards the treble.  To really hear them shine at least a little absorption around the room will really help.

georgemunn
9 posts
 

I would look at the ZU Audio line. I power a set of Omen Def Supremes with 25 watt Pass Labs XA25 in a 500 sq foot room and am very happy. ZU has several speakers under 3k that would fit your room size and efficiency needs. 

immatthewj
2,111 posts
 

which Fritz speakers do you have?

@immatthewj I have the Carbon 6s.

@atmasphere , I know that we have talked about this before; I note that the sensitivity on those is rated at 88 (which does not seem as if it should be incredibly easy to drive going by that number alone) but I beliewve you said that you are only using 4wpc and the specs listed say 5wpc so I assume that what makes them easy to drive must be that the impedance must not drop very low? 

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