I use subs and new Klipsch Heresy IIIs…subs bought used a few years ago (200 clams each…REL Q150e, Q108 II)…with a well sorted pile of gear behind them, the Heresy IIIs are surprisingly coherant…not beamy, especially for horns (phase plugs do work it would seem), and not too expensive (under 20 thousand bucks…YAY…), but you have to have subs for the anemic bass response. I think "live" sounding is sort of an apt description that could have something to do with efficiency (claimed 99 db), and I mix live shows frequently as a hired Knob Turner so for me live stuff is frequented frequently making me a frequency freak for what I feel is accuracy. Note that as a mixer for live stuff I get to impose my taste on innocent bystanders…hundreds of them at a time…I relish the power and it simply stokes my ego until I spend hours rolling up cables and storing gear…at which time I return to being a regular person.
Wide dispersion + high efficiency + detail + coherence in a speaker?
And coherence is the biggest point! I like the liveliness of single driver speakers but I am looking for something with coherence AND bass! High efficiency is important for liveliness, and wide dispersion for a huge sweet spot and instruments in the room presentation.
Any recommendations?
Any recommendations?