Efficient speakers -- What was your journey from A to B to ?
This thread is for people who have tried a successive number of efficient speakers and are willing to relate what they learned on the way.
Here's where I am: Recent experiences with speakers and amps has lead me toward lower watt (not ultra low) amps and more sensitive speakers.
I currently am looking for a second pair of speakers to alternate with my Ascends which would play more nicely with my Quicksilver Mono 60s and my Pass XA 25. (If I found the right speakers, I could be willing to look into SET amps, etc. but that is not my quest, now.)
I am open to design -- horns, open baffle, single driver, etc. My budget is flexible but I won't spend tens of thousands. So, some options are likely not possible.
Here are the speakers I am keeping an eye out for, used, but please add to my list!
Audio Note
Coherent Audio
Coincident — planar magnetic tweeters
Daedalus
Fyne
Klipsch
legacy
Living Voice
Omega
Pure Audio Project
spatial
Tannoy
Volti
Again, I'm especially interested in hearing from folks who have tried more than one of these speakers and can explain what lead them from one brand or model to the next -- and why.
Thanks!
Hilde45, Sorry I've only hear the classic series (Arden, Eaton, Cheviot) and the GR series (GRF, Kensington, Turnberry, Stirling); but that was at Upscale Audio in the L.A. area (east of L.A.).....I just happened to be there for business, and set a time to audition. They carry the complete Tannoy and Fyne lines I believe. I did prefer the GR line, but I am not totally sure that their appearance did not influence me......they are stunningly beautiful speakers (as are Fyne Audio) |
I get amazing results from Heresy IIIs (tried the IVs but the mids were inferior to the IIIs)) and switching between a tubed Dennis Had "Firebottle HO SEP (high output...ha...) and a Pass XA-25. Two REL subs. Was thinking about the Volti Razz but the "no returns under any circumstances" policy is too anti consumer for me, and actually owned a pair of the well regarded ZU "dirty weekend" and thought they were awful. As if nobody at ZU actually listened to them, or they needed way more break-in than I have patience for. Efficient speakers mean the drivers don't work very hard so they're cleaner. Might try a pair of La Scalas sometime. |
If you haven't checked out the Decware website- it might be worth a look. Over the years, I've owned Magnepan 1.6 heavily modified, then 3.7's. Then I switched to Tekton Moab's. The Moab's lasted a year in my system. I now have a pair of Lii Audio PT-10 drivers mounted in their Origin cabinets. Steve Deckert has designed a folded horn cabinet for these drivers, and calls them the Headwreckers. I have not heard them, but they are deigned to extend the low frequencies of this driver. Supposedly there is no need for a subwoofer with these cabinets. I augment bass with a pair of REL G2's and the combination is by far the best audio I have had in my house. Steve does auditions of his gear by appointment. |
@wolf_garcia Thanks for weighing in. I always learn from your experience! @drewportland I'll take a look. Great idea! |
In the mid 70s my first REAL speakers were Beckers, then in 78, Heresy’s came into my life. I ve’ had all the Heritage series except K-Horns. Still have Cornwall lls, Chorus lls & LaScall lls with Altec 311/60s on top. All my speakers have ALK upgraded networks. I’d love to hear a set of Tannoy GR/GRF with my system, maybe in another life. With 3 systems in my house, the Chorus lls are fed by my Pioneer SX1280. Corwalls ll are fed by my Fisher 800c & the LaScalla’s are fed by my Prima Luna HP w/KR-kt88s. I don’t think I can do better that with what I have! |
