How much oomph does the Bryston B60 have?


I just bought a Bryston B60R (through A'gon), and now I want to upgrade my speakers. I started out looking at monitors - the Paradigm Reference Studio 20's and PMC TB2+ seemed like good choices. But then I realized that for about the same money as a good monitor and a solid stand I could get a good floorstanding speaker.

The PMC GB1 or the Spendor S5e would suit my listening tastes (chamber music, choral, some orchestral, pop, and miscellaneous), but would the Bryston be able to drive them effectively?

I realize that most larger speakers will sound better with more than 60 wpc. But does the Bryston have enough power to make these two designs work?

The PMC GB1 is a two-way, but it has a long transmission line. The Spendor uses three drivers, and the company describes it as "2.5 way." (I guess this means the bass driver is a passive radiator.) They both have a sensitivity of 87dB (1W @ 1m).

For what it's worth, my room is medium sized (L-shaped, with one leg about 27' and the other about 25'). I listen at moderate volumes. I'm on the second floor of a two-flat, so I don't need or want earth-shaking bass. I just don't want muddy, ill-defined bass to ruin the other virtues of a larger speaker.

Advice?
jpbach
Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures will work perfectly for this application. You will not be lacking in the bass either.
Your room is really large and I really don't think the B60 will have enough oomph for a speaker under 90 db efficiency. I had a B60R which I used w/my Snell E III's and I thought it barely had enough power to drive them. I would say try whichever spk. you like and see if it's to your liking. If not, add another amp such as a 2B and you will be in business. Or use the B60 as a pre and add a 4B ST and you will hear what your spks. are capable of. Nothing like power even at low volume. I recently upgraded my Bryston 3B to the newer designed 4B ST and it is a whole new ballgame. Better everything. Worth every cent spent. The 3B is a great amp, very, very powerful but lacks the refinement of the 4B ST. Good luck and posts your thoughts after you decide on the spk. and have a chance to actually listen to them in your own place. I'm probably going to replace my Snell's one day and I'm looking at the possible candidates. Good Luck!
I've run a 3b st and a 4b st with many different speakers.
Pmc's are my reference but....I loved Boston Acoustic VR-M 60, not 50's 80's or 90's. Great voice, highs, bass (for their size} Great looks and imaging.