Best used speaker under $1000 for tube low watter

I recommend Audio Note speakers as they are designed to be placed in the corners and are usually 94 db efficent. I have the model E and really love them with my 18 wpc Audio Note amp.

I'm just reading your other post after posting earlier. I'm a big fan of vintage Klipsch. I've owned the Heresy's and they are great little speakers, but definitely not as refined sounding as the larger Klipsch such as the LaScala and Khorn. They do utilize the same drivers, but with a much smaller midrange horn body. The Cornwalls, on the other hand, may be a good choice as they use the same size horn body and driver as my LaScalas. They are one of the very few older Klipsch designs that I have not heard so I can't really comment specifically. Like all the older Klipsch stuff, I think they'd likely stand for some improvement via reinforcement of the cabinet, swapping out the zip-cord wiring harness, better crossover components, and a better tweeter. Still, with all those 'faults' my older Heresy's sounded pretty darn good stock and were quite lovely with the various tube amps I paired them with and a great deal at the price you pay for a pair. 15 watts may be at the lower end of where I'd personally take them though I'm sure they'd perform for you, especially in that small a room. Still, as much as I do like the vintage Klipsch + Tube sound, I think if Heresys were one of my options, and I had a grand to play with, I'd look elsewhere for a more refined sound. I did compare the Heresy's to my Soliloquy's and there was really no contest on any level - the 5.3's were superior in every way (this was using both the 25 watt Quicksilver Mini-monos, as well as the 11 Watt Wright Mono 10's). If the contest was with the LaScala's on the other hand, I'd take the Scala's every time. So the Cornwalls could be in the running, but again, I'd go try to listen to a pair, especially given their large size and heavy weight.

Marco

thanks again for the quick responses! i am a college student on a limited budget, my amps are eico hf-12s. they are amazing and musical little amps, running with a norh cd-1. i will soon be adding a TT, which i'll save for another discussion. the room is not exactly 14x14, actually more like 14x12.5. the speakers will be against the long wall, but the ceilings slope low behind them (its an attic room). i don't need to have speakers perfectly tailored to this room, as i probably won't be in it much longer. corner placement will NOT work in this room.

one more thing... i currently have nice old kef 103.3s. will an upgrade within a budget of $1000 be much superior to them?. the problem is that the kef speakers are for more powerful amps, but they still sound quite nice with the eico.

Although I haven't used them with tubes, the Meadowlark Kestrels would work nicely for you. Before purchasing mine(used) my research found many a recommendation from tube users. Mine are the Hot Rod version. They are unobtrusive and easy to place, from my experience. A step up would be the Shearwaters. Both are sold regularly here used. Good luck with the search.