Advice and help understanding, choosing a Widebander / Single Full Range Driver speaker?

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. Re-reading the thread has reinforced the wisdom and the on-point contributions shared in September and October of last year.

It's been a slow process, as expected, but with a ton of learning and growth as well as actual experience within/across portions of our hobby.

The Cube Audio Nenuphar speakers were delivered this past Wednesday and I am closing in on 100 hours of run time on them. I've been running them overnight on my solid state gear.

I also added the Grandinote Genesi Preamplifier ahead of Scott Sheaffer's Found-Music 2A3 amp. Since the Genesi is a fully balanced design, I am using a custom Cardas XLR adaptor to allow for 'correct' SE IC connections.

Jeffrey Catalano of High Water Sound has been and continues to be wonderful to work with and helped arrange an audition of the Horning Hybrid Eufrodite Ellipses through one of his clients. The audition was exceptional. The Eufrodite is a speaker I can see myself being very happy with and I am working on a follow-up audition. His client has recently added and broken in a Kuzma 4-Point 14" arm and an Air Tight Opus-1 cartridge and is getting fantastic results. 

Holger Adler of Voxativ has been tremendous as well. I am working on getting to Dallas to audition his full line. 

Axpona is a fall back option, though it may be tough for me to coordinate with my schedule.

I am also planning on a future trip to NYC/NJ to get my ears on Horning, Charney, Grandinote, etc.

@acresverde  Once the Cubes are broken in (which they are...I'm giving them longer than the 40 hours Jon Ver Halen, the Cube Audio U.S. importer, advised), and I've worked on placement/ positioning, etc. I'd love to get your opinion and feedback on them within the context of my system and room.

A MAJOR shout-out of thanks to Charles ( @charles1dad ) for his extraordinary support and guidance throughout the journey.

There are others who have helped in major ways, and I'll recognize all of you formally and express my gratitude once I get a mini-write-up organized.

The original articulated goals remain the same. To have a 'bifurcated' system. My front end through DAC remains the same. What may change is my full-range speaker choice. Horning Hybrids and Voxativ's full range 'system' or moving up the Tekton Design line are all viable options, as part of the 'two speaker' system journey.

I'm interested to hear how your journey turns out.  The 6Moons and AV Showrooms reviews have peaked my interest in the Cube Audio Nenuphar.

@exlibris   My early findings and impressions track Srajan Ebaen's 6moons review.

That says a great deal.
Thank you.

@exlibris   I now have over 550 hours on the Nenuphars and they are stunning, within the context of my system. 

Placement and some system related changes / improvements have helped enhance performance. I'll be moving from JJ to EML (SP) tubes for the Found-Music 2A3 monoblocks, by the end of the week. Other system level applications are also breaking in. 

I'll start a dedicated thread, in a few weeks, once the system is settled.

Thanks to all for your help prior to, and along the journey. 

When you audition be sure to not let the person doing the demo restrict the type of music used. Put these single driver speakers through their paces with complex passages and music with wide dynamic swings. Dont be afraid to consider higher powered SET amps (8W plus). 

I'll be auditioning a pair in the next week or two.
Thanks for the update.

Don[']t be afraid to consider higher powered SET amps (8W plus)

OR lower powered SET amps... If you have a high quality amp paired with a preamp with sufficient gain.

[don’t] restrict the type of music used

I’ve been running Club music for the past few hours, at high volumes for me (Avg SPL at listening position High 80s to ~ 90db)

Armin van Buuren, Kraftwerk, Biosphere, Jes, Amon Tobin, Primal Scream, The Orb, Massive Attack, Tricky/Martina, etc.

System was tested with Opeth, Deadmau5, Egyptrixx, etc. : )

I also find high frequencies to be tricky with full range drivers.  It is not just the case that the top end is limited, so one does not get that bit of sparkle on top and the sense of natural note decay, that lack of top end makes the upper midrange sound ragged and peaky.  Put a tweeter on top and the sound smooths out appreciably. 

I've heard 12" and 13" full range drivers in open baffle cabinets and they have decent fullness and midbass, though lacking in deep bass, and what they need is a tweeter on top more so than a woofer below.

In back loaded horn systems with a full range driver, I often think that a tweeter might help to add a little bit of sparkle on top (not needed as much to smooth the frequency response).  

David,
I heard the Nenuphars at CAF paired with the FW SIT-3 amp (which I also have) and thought they sounded wonderful. 
You made a good choice very nice speakers. Are 3.5 watts enough to drive the speakers when you crank it up a bit?

Once you go high efficiency and SET there's no going back. lol
The offer still stands, if you're ever in NY your welcome to come over for a listen.

Joe

Hi Joe. Thanks for your feedback. You know I'll take you up on your offer when I schedule my trip, your way.

Yes, the 3.5 - 4 Watts from my 2A3 amp is more than sufficient. I'm finding the Nenuphars easy enough to drive that I'm also open to a robust build 45 amp.

Coincidently, I've been exchanging emails with Jeffrey and he will have the NA debut of  the latest version of the Horning Hybrid Eufrodite Ellipses at Axpona.

I've started a thread specific to the Cube Audio Nenuphar since this thread is general in nature and applies to all wide-bander / single driver speakers.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/cube-audio-nenuphar-single-driver-speaker-10-inch-tqwt-enclos...