Looking for recs...good bass, high eff., affordable speakers

maxwalrath · « **on:** 19 Dec 2004, 04:32 pm »

Most of the high eff. speakers out there in my low price range seem to be single driver designs.

Besides Klipsh has anyone had luck with high efficiency speakers that won't have a person wanting a sub-woofer? Omega and hornshoppe sound like they do a lot right, but I want more bass than they could offer.

Songforyou · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 05:01 pm »

I've asked a similar question in the Multi/Digital circle. I'm not sure what your musical tastes are, but I will be checking out the Athena AS-F2s for a second system. They are cheap, full range and around 93db.

I have a modified Scott tube integrated that is 20 wpc and I also picked up a little Sonic Impact for a small room in the basement.

I'm driving Meadowlark Kestral Hot Rods (89db) with the Scott and it is a great combination. A little polite perhaps; great for jazz and classical but not always dynamic enough for rock and blues.

I've recently become interested in single driver designs, but have to learn a little more before taking the plunge.

Keep an eye on my 'Speakers for Sonic Impact' thread in the Multi/Digital circle, something may pop up there.

rosconey · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 05:03 pm »

what about line arrays with subs built in

JLM · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 05:04 pm »

Try Adire coaxial or 2Pi speaker kits if you're handy, either has more bass than Omegas.

The Pi speakers are the sleeper here (according to a room full of us able to A/B the two of them). The very simple two-way 2 Pi (no crossover) is about $110 plus cabinet with plans available for both hefty standmounts or floorstanders. Wayne Parham is a very nice guy. 97 dB/w/m & 8 ohms, but not as "audiophile" as any of the Omegas (more rock monitors than audiophile stuff).

maxwalrath · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 05:25 pm »

Thanks guys...that was quick. there's a pair of athena's in Harrisburg PA (100 miles away), I might give them a try.

I'm willing to try diy (although I never have) but with athenas to be had for so little $$ there's almost no need.

lcrim · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 05:50 pm »

I have been wondering about the Athena AS-F2 as well. I have seen conflicting reports over on the Asylum about them. Some people say that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and others report that they are boomy and unrefined. Can anybody add to my confusion?
I am kind of shopping around for a full range stereo pair for my living room system. I am not pirating your thread Max but we might be interested in pretty much the same thing. I just got back my Teac digital from Vinnie Rossi and the mods he did raised the quality of sound so enormously that my Sonus Faber Concertino's sound a bit small and closed in at tmes. The room has been treated and while not large, there is still around a 9' distance from the present speakers to the sweet spot, w/o jamming the speakers against a wall. I think that a pair of Vandersteen 1C's, while not the latest thing, might sound fine for me. They can usually be found on Audiogon for less than $500 and are 90dB efficient. I don't know which line arrays w/ built-in subs Rosconey suggested. Decware offers a couple of Radials that are based on a Fostex driver and are supposed to disappear but now you're talking Gallo Ref III prices.

WEEZ · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 05:55 pm »

have you looked at Coincident?

WEEZ

maxwalrath · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 05:56 pm »

lcrim, I'm waiting for a clari-T amp from Vinnie. I'm using Klipsch RS3's now, and was looking for other options. They sound really good, but I want to compare them to high-eff. non-horn designs to see what I like best.

Under $500 is key for me, hopefully cheaper off of a'gon.

If I end up with more than one pair of speakers and you want to borrow a pair for a while to try with your digital amp you'd be welcome to.

kbuzz3 · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 06:15 pm »

I think the pis are a great reccomendation. I would take a strong pass on the coincident's unless you like that audiphile top end but thats my opinion.

I do think the omegas offer alot. I have been playing with subs lately with my pair and they are integrating nicely. I think that ultimately they are a great solution.

In sum its tough to get a high effic. speaker with bass at a reasonable size and at a reasonbably price.

Depending on your budget, you may want to look at the tannoy designs which are very efficenct. I have also heard good things about the adire audio koslas....

let us know your budget and equipment tastes. I have not heard the klipsch or athena's outside a Best Buy setting. and what i heard was not pretty.

Songforyou · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 07:09 pm »

Kbuzz,

Quote

I do think the omegas offer alot. I have been playing with subs lately with my pair and they are integrating nicely. I think that ultimately they are a great solution.

What omegas and what sub? I'm looking at the Super 3s. I have no experience with single-driver speakers. What would they do that my Meadowlarks don't? I listen to all kinds of stuff (from early music to early Aerosmith!) and the Meadowlarks are well rounded performers. I don't mind adding a sub, but I don't want to give anything up.

lcrim · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 Dec 2004, 07:52 pm »

Max:
Thanks for the offer, I may take you up on that.
The Teac/Tripath produces an honest 30 watts per so there should be a bigger choice of speakers than the usual suspects. The size of the room factors into this a lot. I am trying to avoid a beamy sound w/o spending an arm and leg. A smaller room like my living room and standmount speakers somehow begs for two subs to avoid localizing the bass. Unless there is a full range speaker that fits better. The Tripath amps seem to voice better w/ more efficient speakers. The sound is very good now but you know the itch.

JLM · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Dec 2004, 01:59 am »

I've wanted to like the Meadowlarks (I'm a 2/3 way driver, transmission line guy from way back), but they've never done a thing for me. The Omegas provide a much more coherent, natural, and dynamic sound to me.

Songforyou · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Dec 2004, 02:34 am »

Quote

I've wanted to like the Meadowlarks (I'm a 2/3 way driver, transmission line guy from way back), but they've never done a thing for me. The Omegas provide a much more coherent, natural, and dynamic sound to me.

6moons has just posted 2 reviews of the Super 3 and 3Rs. One review compares the 3R to the newer Kestrels (my older hot rod version is better). I was very interested in this because I was considering the 3s based on what I've read here and elsewhere. I like the idea of more coherence and dynamics, but I'm not looking for a speaker that makes poor recordings sound even worse. In this regard, the Meadowlarks are okay. I'm not implying that is what the 3s do (haven't heard 'em), but the reviewers seem to express some reservations with their praise. A lot of the music I like isn't well recorded. I guess I'm just looking for some single-driver guidance...

JLM · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Dec 2004, 11:54 am »

Song,

Thanks for the heads up to the 6moon review.

IMO extended range drivers work well with less than ideal recordings because their strength is midrange and much of the irratation from poor recordings is found in the treble. Without crossovers the single driver speaker is more coherent (nearfield listening is no problem), although very high efficiency, front loaded horns can be ruthlessly revealing.