Looking for a tube friendly monitor speaker

greg7 · « **on:** 30 Sep 2007, 05:07 pm »

I recently went from solid state to a 30 WPC push-pull tube amp. My current speakers (Harbeth HL-P3) aren't happy now. Not quite enough power. My room is small (13' x 15') so I need smaller speakers. I've learned this lesson the hard way.

Anyway, my budget is up to $1500 so please don't recommend Merlins. I need recommendations for speakers with synergy for lower power tubes? Opera, Silverline, Quad 12L2 and Soliloquy are the only ones I've found.

I prefer a laid back, smooth sound -- no "hi fi" or tizz and boom.

bacobits1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 05:49 pm »

http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/
or here
http://www.thehornshoppe.com/
or here
http://geocities.com/rbrines1/
I'm' using Bob's FT1600II's with 8 watts /ch with great results.

D

tanchiro58 · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 05:59 pm »

I have used Von Schweikert VR1 monitors for couple years driven by Sun Audio SET 2A3 (4watts) in my big living room.
I do not have problems hard-to-drive or congestion with these speakers (89db). I also have relaxed and/or lush sound but it is depending on your other components like DAC, digital cable, ICs and pramp too.

Cacophonix · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 06:12 pm »

30wpc of tube power is quite a bit for most of the speakers.

Check out OB5 from GR Research. They are quite efficient, and are an easy load for any amplifier. This hold good for any speaker from Danny's line.

Also if you are into single drivers, then i can whole heartedly recommend Bob Brines FT1600MKII. I drive them with 15wpc vista audio i84, and they sound absolutely wonderful. They go down to around 45hz, and u really don't miss bass for most music. Plus i've not encountered any "tizz" or boom in my 13'x16' bedroom.

Scott F. · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 07:08 pm »

Along with the others suggested I'd toss out the Audio Note line. If you go used, you might be able to squeeze a little more speaker for your budget. They are extremely nice sounding speakers with the characteristics you are looking for (no splash and sizzle, just good music). They are specifically designed with the lower powered tube amps in mind. The closed cabinet designs (the AN series) are meant to be placed against (or close to) the wall which will help in your smaller room.

Their AZ series transmission lines are quite nice and very affordable also. The AZ's will need a little room behind them as they are rear ported. New, the AZ's are in the $1100 range. Audio Note also has a nice distributor line throughout the States. Maybe one is near you.

As a last thought, (and I use this combination currently with a low wattage PP tube amp) if you can find an older pair of Odyssey Epiphany's, this is a truly wonderful combination. These little speakers don't have that spit or sizzle either and are very tube friendly. They are rear ported so to adjust the bass response you may need to use some foam port plugs but hey will definitely give you the sound you are looking for too.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 07:44 pm »

Reference 3A Da Capo i's are efficient and may be available used on Audiogon for the price you posted. There is a lot of press about these that you would do well to review. Just google them, I would think. I have not heard Danny's speakers but I would research these too if I were you. By the way, if by laid back you mean a recessed stage the Da Capo's do have a presence in the mid band if their frequency response graph is an indication but the reviews are top shelf. They use an 8" carbon driver mid/bass driver for speed and transient fidelty that has benefits beyond most two ways according to reviews. In addition to me, I'm sure there are others besides myself who would welcome a post on what you finally decide upon.

Tweaker · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 08:19 pm »

Quote from: tanchiro58 on 30 Sep 2007, 05:59 pm

I have used Von Schweikert VR1 monitors for couple years driven by Sun Audio SET 2A3 (4watts) in my big living room.
I do not have problems hard-to-drive or congestion with these speakers (89db). I also have relaxed and/or lush sound but it is depending on your other components like DAC, digital cable, ICs and pramp too.

I can also recommend the VR1's but unfortunately Von Schweikert has discontinued them! (Idiots).
Green Mountain Europas should be added to the list:
http://www.greenmountainaudio.com/Speakers/Europa/Specifications.htm

reddmadder · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 08:35 pm »

Google Tektondesign...There's alot of good feedback here and on his site.
I'm thinking of purchasing a pair as a gift for some friends...I'd be mating them with a Trends 10.1 class d amp.
Very affordable.

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 08:54 pm »

I would say the Europa and Tektondesign would be promising, especially if cosmetics are not the first priority.
Eric has a design (based on the Dynaco A-25) I wasn't aware of that looks promising for your needs:
http://tinyurl.com/34yydb
One thing - don't expect it to be easy to find anything that completely matches the HLP3s midrange qualities. It is notably sweet there, and images like a bandit, compared to most (I have a pair).

sturgus · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 09:18 pm »

Merlins

Sturgus

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1194296493
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1195349231

Double Ugly · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 09:31 pm »

If you're really happy with the Harbeths, maybe you should consider keeping them and looking for a slightly more powerful tube amp. IMO, that'd be your simplest, surest and possibly cheapest solution.

Alternatively, of the recommendations made thus far, I like Klaus' Epiphany and the GMA Europa the best.

The Epiphany is amazing for it's size and cost, especially if you can pull it out into the room. The Europa is among the best small speakers I've heard, period. They do little wrong IMHO, and a lot really, really well. I'm not sure the 5.25 Ohm/88dB sensitivity is ideal for your application, but Roy claims they work with as little as 7 watts, so you should be alright.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

EthanH · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 09:35 pm »

When I was looking at options for a ~30 watt p/p tube amp a year or so ago I kept running into quad, silverline, usher, GMA europas, and the odd concertino recommendation hear and there. You could also look into Zu tones or Omegas if you want to do the single driver thing. I've only heard the concertinos and wasn't into them.

On audiogon right now there's a pair of de capos http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1196127806
and a nice looking pair of silverlines http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1193795650

I ended up buying a local pair of Arros on a whim and have been happy with them since.

IronLion · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 09:36 pm »

I am using a pair of Zu Tones with a Sig 30.2 (30wpc just like yours), and they get plenty, plenty loud, and definitely have meat on the bones in the midrange in a way that I really like. That said, their bass output is not very good, its passable if you place them correctly but if you have a sub to pair them with (a good one) it sounds great.

Freo-1 · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 09:43 pm »

Quote from: Double Ugly on 30 Sep 2007, 09:31 pm

If you're really happy with the Harbeths, maybe you should consider keeping them and looking for a slightly more powerful tube amp. IMO, that'd be your simplest, surest and possibly cheapest solution.

I agree. Perhaps an EL-34 based amplifier between 25-40 watts a side would be the go. A friend of mine made one using the Curico 6DJ8 front end, and at 25WPC in triode, it can drive quite a variety of speakers well.

bluemike · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 10:30 pm »

Check out the Tonian Acoustic Monitors
I have a pair and they sound glorious

BRILEY804 · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 10:38 pm »

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1196117153

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Sep 2007, 11:59 pm »

Quote from: Double Ugly on 30 Sep 2007, 09:31 pm

I'm not sure the 5.25 Ohm/88dB sensitivity is ideal for your application, but Roy claims they work with as little as 7 watts, so you should be alright.

Problem with the HLP3s - they're 83 dB/W/M on a good day downhill with the wind behind them, and I think that might be a little optimistic.

88dB on the other hand, would make the 30 W amp sound as dynamic as about 100W on the Harbeths.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Oct 2007, 04:48 am »

The Europas. Ah, yes, designed by a man after my own heart who goes about all of the extra mile there is. I believe that these new are above your intended range and it's doubtful you'll find many used for sale. You might visit Green Mountain Audio's website, however, for leads. I see where another member sent you to a for sale site for Reference 3A's. There used to be more of these for sale more often than there is now. Something new hits the market and that's when people are most motivated. You should study up on these, too. I know I'm impressed by what I've read about this model and it's predecessor as I've already indicated. They will go lower and play louder than the Europa's, I dare say. But if you buy some Europa's, kindly invite me to your house for an extended listen, OK? Best wishes.

Tweaker · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Oct 2007, 05:29 am »

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 1 Oct 2007, 04:48 am

The Europas. Ah, yes, designed by a man after my own heart who goes about all of the extra mile there is. I believe that these new are above your intended range...

They're sold factory direct for $995.00.
Another speaker worthy of consideration would be the Salk Sound SongTower. Recommended power is 30-150 tube watts or 80-150 solid state:
http://www.salksound.com/songtower.shtml

JLM · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Oct 2007, 10:46 am »

Have you considered trying a powered subwoofer to hand most of the "heavy lifting" to see if the amp/speakers could become "happier"?