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Speaker Suggestions for 300b SET Amp

I built an Elekit 8600 300b set amp recently.  It's amazing. I maxed out upgrades (all Takman resistors, Mundorf top end caps, solder/wiring, etc.).  It's a wonderful amp. It cost me $2k to build it and it's glorious.


My issue hasn't been the amp, but finding speakers that I want to use with it.  


I started with Omega XRS 8 Juniors (~$2k). I broke them in for 300 hours and, while they did get better, they largely sounded like the top and bottom ends were just truncated off at both ends the sound spectrum. They sounded more akin to a transistor radio speaker. I feel terrible to say that and I hope others really love them and hear them differently, as the company is great and the owner is wonderful. They just weren't for me.


So, I just paired the 300b up with some inefficient speakers (both KEF LS50s and Wharfedale 80th anniversary Dentons). Both speakers were part of other systems I have.  Both sets, and especially the cheaper Wharfedales, just sing with the 300b.  They do not play particularly loud given their efficiency ratings, yet they sound wonderful for very close nearfield listening. 


But what I'd like to do is go a bit more into the full range speaker category without buying a massive product. Or, I consider a smaller bookshelf/monitor if it were more efficient.


What speakers do folks like with their 300bs?  


128x128jbhiller
gsm18439
895 posts
 
I have heard LV in my home with a 300b SET. They sounded good, but with the caveat that I do not play music loud and my house is rather lively when it comes to sound volumes. Depending on where you live, Gary Dewes (from Boarder Patrol) will arrange an in-home audition.
93rubyz
23 posts
 
You should consider some Klipschorns.  Seriously!  Yes, they are large, but if you have good corners, they actually don't take up very much space at all -- who actually uses their corners (except for Klipschorn owners)?
rvnye
21 posts
 
I also have a 300b amp (Woo Audio WA-5).  I did massive research on speakers for 300b amps and came across Tonian Labs TLD-1 speakers.  They are no longer available new, but you can look for used ones.  I have a pair and they are amazing!  They won't sound super for hard rock, but for lighter, quicker music, even orchestra they sound great.  They're a little light on the bottom end, but you don't really miss it unless you're listening to music made to highlight low notes (e.g. organ music).  Do a google search on them for grins.
pianopig
7 posts
 
Vaughn Loudspeakers are very good.. Often paired with Wavelength Audio at shows.. 
rogerh113
19 posts
 
Altec 604 coaxials are quite stunning, and I get great pleasure out of them with my SET amp.  There are vintage ones, and Great Plains Audio continues to manufacture them (and parts).  If you have space for large speaker cabinets, then the 9 cu ft variants will deliver stunning bass response, as well as the rest of the spectrum.   You do need sufficient drive to power the 15 in woofers, and I don't know if the 300b can go there.  I think the 604 is rated at 98dB +, so there is hope.


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