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compact tube amp and in wall speaker

I need help with matching up a compact tube amp like a jolida 102 crc with a set of in wall speakers like a Martin Logan electromotion iw. Goal is to obtain wife approval factor, cool look of tube amp in a new to be built floor to ceiling bookcase. Room size is 16' x 14' x 9'. Book case is on either side of a 8' opening to an adjacent room. Size and price of new jolida is good. Martin Logan is at high end of what I'd like to spend on speakers. Does tube amp have enough power to drive speakers for all types of music. Sound quality needs to be decent. I like music reality loud, but only when wife not at home. She will play at miderate levels. Other recommendations welcome. Thank you.
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Showing 2 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,569 posts
 
I would not go with ESLs if you plan to mount the drivers in the wall!!

Instead I would get my hands on the most efficient and wide range speakers I could. ML ESLs are traditionally not very tube friendly and it sounds like you are on a budget so a high powered tube amp that will do the MLs justice is likely out of the picture.

Lowthers, PHY and other high efficiency drivers is where I would be looking (in my own case I would likely be looking at a 2-way system using 15" woofers of high efficiency so that I had full range; this would allow you to use a 5 or 6" driver for the mids and highs). This would allow you a lower powered (read: affordable) tube amplifier and the results could be really excellent.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,569 posts
 
If I get a efficient in wall or bookshelf, will 10 tube watts drive high 80's low -90 dB speakers?

You sort of answered this question already- high 80s is not efficient, nor for that matter is the low 90s (that might considered medium efficiency). If you want a 10-watt amp to do the job, higher efficiency is recommended (but of course a lot depends on how loud you intend to play).
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