Admittedly a bit lost


Folks

I am a long time music lover who is dipping his toes into high end audio for the first time. I have long enjoyed high quality headphones (Sennheiser HD650) and earphones (Etymotics all the time) but have not spent the big bucks (that I don't have) for high-end equipment. :)

However, I have recently acquired a Jolida tube amp (40W output) and am looking for good speakers to pair with them. I intend to go around listening to a bunch of speakers but I need to at least narrow down what sort I should ask my local dealers to have available for me to try. That is what this thread is about.

My constraints are thus:
- My musical tastes run the gamut from classical choral pieces (Bach's cantatas and mass, Arvo Part, Hilliard Ensemble's works etc - i.e. all mid-range frequencies) to experimental electronic music (Autechre, Aphex Twin, Flying Lotus etc - i.e. deep sub-bass and full-frequency spread music with absolutely zero traditional instruments and every sound is synthesized).
- My amp is a 40W tube amp
- I live in an apartment and so listen at volumes ranging from low to moderate.
- My budget for speakers is about $3K (slightly flexible).

With those constraints, my dilemma is that I don't know if I should be trying out high-efficiency speakers or low-efficiency ones? Should I look for 8ohm speakers or 4ohm ones? Something tells me that with low power tube amps, I should be looking at a high efficiency low impedence speaker. However, will that sort of speaker be able to navigate the high speed bass attack of electronic music when driven by an amplifier such as mine?

I am not sure where to begin, so I would really like some advise from folks here. Thank you so much!
badri
40 tube watts is decent, though I would lean toward efficient speakers, not necessarily 'highly efficient' speakers over 6 ohms/90db. Therefore I would not feel comfortable recommending less efficient speakers like Vandersteen and Evolution Acoustics. In your price range, I would recommend looking at the pair of Proac Response D-28's on the 'Gon - https://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-proac-response-d-28-2015-10-23-speakers-19317-chadds-ford-pa

The Proacs are 8ohms/88.5db efficient and are a simple 2 way design, but are capable of deep bass & dig down to 20Hz. They are bi-wirable or can be bi-amped. I think the Proacs would suit your taste in music & be keepers. Btw, with your spare change, I would consider a nice pair of bi-wire speaker cables. That is a subject for another thread however. Best wishes.
If you are anywhere near Nashville, I have a perfect pair of Proac Response 2.5 I would consider selling. They would probably fit your needs quite nicely.......
Go on your local Craigslist and pick up a pair of Klipsch Heresy’s or Quartet’s. Few hundred bucks. You can always unload these. If this is your first pair of high(ish) end speakers, buy used. Also, never buy speakers without auditioning first.
Go to Madisound or another speaker parts company and buy a kit that is easy to assemble. They will advise you as to your amps capability and speaker requirement. They are aware of your needs as to easy to drive speakers.
You don't have to be a great craftsman to build these speakers.
Enjoy, Peterh
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