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Sensitivity in speakers

Just my luck I took woodshop instead of electrical engineering. Maybe if I undestood the difference between a volt vs. a watt, I might know how to pick my next speakers.

Here's the problem - as much as I like cranking it when the missus isn't around (perhaps I should reword that?), I want speakers that I don't have to blast to get a full bodied sound. Upgraditis has lead me to Manley Neoclassic 250's driven by a Manley Steelhead with a Sota Cosmos/Shelter901 and Wavelength DAC as sources (the sources courtesy of Jay Kaufman at Audio Revolutions - a truly great guy to work with). All of this runs into Von Schweikert VR-2's. A nice speaker from my POV but not quite up to the rest of the system.

Recommendations please - what speakers would fit into this system that would sound great at all volume levels? Of course like many of us I want soaring extended highs, warm, life-like mids' and bass from the bowels of the earth.

I don't have unlimited resources but I'd rather measure the distance between me and great speakers in time rather than current cashflow.

Sugestions?
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Showing 2 responses by audiokinesis

audiokinesis
2,713 posts
 
I second JohnK's suggestion to put your woodshop skills to good use. You might look at PiSpeakers.com. Go with JBL drivers and you'll have speakers that sound great at a very wide variety of listening levels, including very low levels.

Electrostats tend to excel at very low volume levels (I've owned electrostats for about ten years now, and have sold them for about six). Your Manleys should have no trouble driving a pair of 'stats.

By the way, Jay Kaufman is definitely one of the good guys. Glad you found him.

Best of luck to you,

Duke
audiokinesis
2,713 posts
 
BigNerd100,

I think very highly of Pi Speakers. They are excellent values and very well designed. Wayne really knows crossovers and is very free with his knowledge. I really can't think of anyone quite like him. The 7Pi cornerhorns in particular are ingenius and superb. I've heard a couple of the other models and they were also very good but the 7Pi had me kicking myself for not thinking of it first. It works very well.

The Midwest Audio Fest in Tulsa, Oklahoma is the first week of May, and Wayne is hosting the show, in case you can make it. I'm planning on showing there too.

Duke

Duke
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