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What is your favorite High EFF speaker

Hello Everyone!


The most interesting item on my horizon lately are high efficiency speakers. 


Better said, speakers which can easily be driven by amps whose output is from 15 to 70wpc. And likely lower, ala 300B  amps, or a pr of Els or KTs, etc. there are a ton of 30 to 75wpc tube amps out there that perform at fascinating levels, and are very interesting. 


Having exactly no EXP in this realm other than a former interlude with Silverline Sonata IIIs (reputedly 93db, @ 8 ohms) some time back, I’m asking for members EXP on current or  recent production  speakers  still available you have used which check all the boxes IYO.


 imaging, resolution, bottom end accuracy, impact and honesty.


I listen to sensible  music. Nothing urban or inner city, rave, etc.., but I do enjoy twisting up the ‘fun’ knob on the preamp from time to time. 


Many thanks.


blindjim
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Altec Valencia's! A favorite of Art Dudley of Stereophile. I had a pair. Regret selling them!
commish1965
20 posts
 
i love my zu druid V's!  and good luck with your journey!
gsm18439
895 posts
 
Zu Definition 4. But I also like Audio Note (esp ANE) and Living Voice.
larryi
3,716 posts
 
Cost is no object: custom-made horn systems with vintage Western Electric drivers or G.I.P. reproductions of Western Electric drivers; or system built around Jensen/ERPI M-10 fieldcoil woofer and Western Electric 597a tweeter.

More reasonably priced and available speakers:  Charney Audio backloaded horn system with AER full range driver; Audio Note AN-E;  Voxativ Ampeggio; Avantgarde Duo.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,574 posts
 
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.
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