High Efficiency Speakers Your top 3 or more

Clio-

I've been looking at those Tonians for a week or so now. I just got a price list today. They have some pretty expensive models in their line up. However that model you have $2500 retail I think. How good is it?

Let's say 92 db or higher and preferably at least 6 ohms avg. Single ended triode stuff.

You are correct on Tonian. The 12.1 w/ copper voice coils are $11,900.

I'm totally lost on the Audio Note models and prices. I just can't make heads or tails of them. perhaps I'll call Audio Federation which is who displayed them at RMAF. It seems like the base models are fairly affordable and the high end model is the same basic speaker with upgraded parts. I can't imagine what they could do though to add $40,000 though. Even Tony's PHY drivers, which are some fairly expensive around, can be had at Madisound for a few thousand each.

I thought that model they had at RMAF was the same one I heard at their showroom which they told me was $50k+. They must have brought something else. Every time I was in their room at RMAF they were blaring rock music to show how well they can do rock music. That really turned me off and sent me moving on. If I wanted to play rock music I sure wouldn't be looking at Audio Notes. :)

Thanks for all the responses.

I admit the Tonians, Coincidents, and Audio notes were high on my list when I started this thread. Thanks for chiming in on those TVAD and Paulfolbrecht.

There is definitely something special about the Audio Notes but they're certainly not cheap. The pair I heard were like $50k retail. But it sure seems like a lot of people end there after trying around. However I'm guessing the Tonians have a lot of similarities to the Audio Notes and they are considerably cheaper.

It seems like there are a lot of other companies flying under the radar which is what I was hoping to hear about. I feel like there is a small resurgence in high efficiency designs going on.

There have been at least a few suggestions I have not heard of before, and a lot I've never heard.

A few people chimed in 92db is not efficient and I agree but I figured it was the bottom end of what any sane audiophile could classify as efficient. I had to pick some bottom threshold so there it is.

I was only in the large room then, and they were blaring something pretty loud. I think it was Van Halen. I don;t have anything against Van Halen or ZZ Top but hard rock makes up a small part of my listening these days. I recently had some Harbeths and felt for acoustic music and jazz they were excellent. For Radiohead, not so much. That's pretty much how I felt about the Audio Notes the first time I heard them. Did I create a false impression?

$40k more? That's seems crazy.

Noted.

I'll check them out. Thanks!

"03-28-10: Tvad
Mmike84, you never mentioned price range (or ceiling), or room size restrictions (if there are any).

Do any of these criteria matter, or is your question intended to be as broad as possible?
Tvad (Threads | Answers)"

Sorry for my tardy reply. I didn't want to limit it as I'm looking for a comprehensive resource (for me and others) of all of the high efficiency speakers that exist.

However I am looking for my own purposes so I could say less than $15k, and preferably less than $10k. My room is pretty big (18x25) and open behind the listening position.

I have been considering Coincident Pure Reference or TV IV's but I'm fearful of spending that much on a speaker I've never heard (and cannot unless I am willing to go to the factory). What if I decided not to keep it? I'd lose a lot of $.

But I am by no means decided. Audio Notes, Audiokinesis, and Tonians (these were added as a result of this thread)are definitely up for consideration.

One serious limitation I have is I can only bring them out about 18" unless they are light enough they can be moved out and back. Audio notes actually prefer that (from what I've heard) and so have a real advantage. I'm going to drag my amps up to Audio Federation and give them another listen. Primarily because I highly respect the opinions about them from many of you.

I don't think there is a standard unless someone else knows of one. Early in the thread I set a limit of 92db at 6ohms minimum so as not to exclude anything on the cusp. However I think most of us would agree 92db is not really high efficiency. I think I personally would classify 92-96 db as higher, and 97+ as high. However if your reference is horns that may be low.

MMike84,

Is it a safe assumption that you are looking for different speakers to go along with your tube gear? You aren't looking to replace the amp you have with a SET are you? That makes a big difference I would think on what speakers would work well. I don't think you need super high efficiency speakers necessarily with your amp. I would think 89-90db and a smooth 8 ohm load more or less is all that would be needed for your stuff to sing!
Mapman (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

My system on audiogon is not updated. I am currently running electrostats with two big VAC amps, one each in mono for each speaker. Yes they sound really really good together. One of the best combinations I've ever found. But I'm changing directions.

However I think high efficiency designs don't necessarily limit you to low powered tubes they just enable that option. Personally and in general I have found that high efficiency designs can sound good regardless of the amplification except in cases of extreme mismatches. I think in many cases it's complicated crossovers that reduce the efficiency of the drivers in those speakers more so than the drivers themselves. The more complicated the crossover is the better the speaker designer has to be to design it correctly, and almost without fail the less efficient the speaker will be. That necessitates high power push pull tube amps, and SS.

I agree solid state can be impressive. Showy, dynamic, etc. But in general tubes are more musical to me, and the added texture and dimension that you get makes even less sparkly highs, or less impactful bass sound more real. In otehr words the trade offs are not worth it, to me.

But just like wine not everyone values the same thing. If you listen to Radiohead most of the time my current set up would be unbeatable. However I listen to a lot of different music and it's mostly acoustic. I'll give up tight bass, and resolution for musicality. 5 years ago I would not have said that. So either my ears have gotten more refined, or they have gotten less refined, or my tatses have changed, I'm not sure which. Another may prefer something else and that's OK. I've owned some systems some would call the pinnacle of SS, and I now own a system that is at the top of the high power push pull tube class. I don't label one approach superior. They each have their strengths and weaknesses.

As Tvad says no problem. Those speakers were made for 8w 300b amps. I'd have no hesitation.

From their website:

U.S.A. Direct Price $10,950
Drivers; High Frequency (X2) 1" Eton Dome tweeters
Drivers; Mid-range (X2) 5" custom modified Fostex full range loudspeaker
Drivers; Low Frequency (X2) 8" Daedalus Audio Dynamic Loudspeaker
Frequency Response 28 to 25kHZ +/- 1.5db (-3db 25HZ)
Sensitivity 97 db 1w/1m
Continuous Power Rating 400 watts RMS (800+ watts peak)
recommended power 8- 1000 watts
Impedance 6 ohms
Tweeter Switch flat, -1db, +1db

It seems they should work. Maybe we can get an update after Almarg's arrive?

As Ralph suggested in an earlier post for another speaker a GM70 based dehavilland could probably swing it too, but it appears anything less than the most powerful SET may not do the trick with those.