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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
fritzspeaks
44 posts
 
All my speaker designs have series crossovers which use smaller and far fewer parts than regular crossovers and are a much easier load on the amplifier compared to other loudspeakers.  
 
Google any loudspeaker and see if they have a Stereophile review and go to the measurements page- the impedance and phase curves are all over the place verses a series crossover loudspeaker which gradually rises and the phase curve is mainly a straight line.
 
I have 8 integrated tube amps with EL84, EL34, 6L6, 6550, KT88 & KT90 power tubes with 12 to 80 watts per channel and a 300B amp @ 8 watts, a EL34 single power tube amp @ 5 watts and a Decware EL84 amp with 2.3 watts per channel that drives all of my speakers great in my 14 x 22 ft living room. 

Happy listening...   Fritz

 

https://www.fritzspeakers.com/images/speakers/new/RosewoodCarbon7SEmk22.3wattDecwareEL84Amp1000%20-%20Copy.jpg

 

gotog
137 posts
 

Zu DWX will most likely give you the scale and dynamics you are looking for

audition__audio
1,504 posts
 

I think the impedance is more significant than the efficiency. If you plan to continue using a tube amp. 

corelli
1,002 posts
 

Another thumbs up for Omega monitors.  I have the Super7 Mk II's and am getting great results with a 4wpc SET amp.  They are in a much larger room than yours and I am shocked at what spl I can achieve with this system.  I just added a pair of REL T/X5's.  I am amazed with the results.  Huge sound stage, dynamic, great detail yet smooth.  I can listen all day.  This system, including stands, could come in under your budget.

My primary system is a bit jealous right now.

vthokie83
907 posts
 

Fritz should work at 8 ohm and 88 db should be easy to drive. I'd love to recommend the Philharmonic BMR, but at 4ohm and 87 db it might not be the best fit....but it's a surprisingly great speaker for $2,200

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