What is your favorite High EFF speaker

You mentioned with a 16 ohm IMP speaker system, amp consideration is important.

In what respect?

As I would think an amp with 20wpc > should be enough to push them. Albeit the caveat as usual would be any amp’s voice/performance falling in line with one’s own preffs.

IMO I’d visualize a setup of T3s with 30 or better glass monos, or something akin to one of the Pass labs similar but SS monos.

I forget exactly what JW said when he mentioned they enjoyed power in the ranges of 30 to 60wpc.

Perhaps for the lower end 15 in. Driver to perform best/better?

Only hearing his T1s with your 60wpc monos was impressive. Especially in that immense room, standing well back and far off center as we spoke.

@blindjim  16 ohms reduces distortion in all amps. If **high quality** audio is your goal, your amplifier investment is better served by a higher impedance speaker, if that is the only variable.

20 watts does work, but a lot depends on the size of your room, how lively it is and your personal listening habits. I found that 20 watts simply wasn't enough- I could run that out of gas. In my old space I used our S-30 amplifier which makes 45 watts into 16 ohms and still felt like the additional power or our M-60s was helpful. If you are running the amp out of gas or even coming close, the distortion will be higher. Its best to have the amp working at a 'moderate loaf', no matter what amp it is.

LP caveat was to have ten ft at least from the spkrs.

And I never delved into what or how the adjustments on the driver’s power supplies or other controls accomplished or why?

@blindjim I sit closer than 10 feet; they work fine if you're sitting down (this is all about the tweeter blending properly). You need to be 10 feet or more only if standing up. The power supplies are simply set to a particular current to energize the field coils and then left alone.

My speakers are the T-3s and IMO/IME they have bass very similar to that of the T-1s; the T-3 cuts off at 22Hz instead of 20Hz, but I had John make my T-3s a bit taller so they would cut off at 20Hz :)  the mids and highs are nearly identical.

When examining tube amps you'll want to pay attention to impedance as well. Almost any tube amp will make more power, have wider bandwidth and lower distortion when driving a 16 ohm load as opposed to 8.


I use Classic Audio Loudspeakers model T3.3s, which are 98dB 1 watt/1 meter, are 16 ohms, are flat to 20Hz with the first breakup at 35KHz. So they are very detailed, very relaxed and have plenty of punch all at the same time. The kind of music you play makes no difference- they play all genres very well and cast an excellent soundstage with plenty of depth. They are also remarkably easy to set up and can work well even in smaller rooms, although bigger rooms really help.