Looking for suggestions for a new (to me) pair of high efficiency monitors

http://images.klipsch.com/RB81IIcutsheet_635042118979170000.pdf

"Not to disparage low cost speakers but always thought of this line as mass market HT stuff? How do they sound compared to traditional Klipsch Heritage Series Heresy III?"

Of course the RB-81II's are not going to be able to run with the big Heritage Klipsch(Khorns, La Scalas, Cornwalls, Belles) but they can hold there own against the Heresy models and dig a bit deeper.  Not as refined but pretty darn good for "mass market"  

Below is my response to another thread.

"The RB-81II's are pretty big sounding for "bookshelf" speakers and can be driven pretty well with 60w/ch. Before you pull the trigger on those, look on the used market for a pair of RB-75's. They will command a higher price but you will get real wood veneer, a 1.75" titanium true compression driver, and a solid cabinet at 32lbs each. Though my pair sounded awesome with great low frequency extension(nearing 40Hz) in my room, I did add a nice sub to fill in the bottom."

Bill

((( I use a 2x100 watt rms at 8 Ohm Quad 405-2 into my P3ESRs (i.e. some 130 watt into their 6 Ohm), in an 18 sq m room, and that is fine. It will not bring down the walls, but no small speaker ever will.)))

 That's a fine match with Quad SS agree
  its the tube amps that lays down with the small Harbeths

((Could you explain why the e.g. 2.0 V out of a source becomes a different kind of 2.0 V when it leaves the pre amp?))


 For sure
  A 50 cent integrated circuit PC add in a microprocessor with a compromised power supply sounds more like the screaming weasel
  vs a real Preamp
  Quicksilver line stage with a 12 AT7 real power supply and much better Volume control wins the hart of the music lover every time.
 Do the experiment
 
  Cheers ,
 JohnnyR

Could you explain why the e.g. 2.0 V out of a source becomes a different kind of 2.0 V when it leaves the pre amp?
I agree that anaemic tube amps are never a good idea. However, this room is only 10x12 feet. I use a 2x100 watt rms at 8 Ohm Quad 405-2 into my P3ESRs (i.e. some 130 watt into their 6 Ohm), in an 18 sq m room, and that is fine. It will not bring down the walls, but no small speaker ever will.

((((I fail to understand how a separate preamplifier can improve the sound)))
 I strongly disagree
A real preamp allows the clarity of dynamics to swell as in life or the way we hear.

(((By all means, use an LS3/5a type speaker in a small room like this. However, the modern Harbeth P3ESR is much better))

 I disagree with you again I do agree its a very nice small speaker,
 I know you mean well here but his 60 WPC tube amps are not at their best for driving this small type design for best coherence in that room.
 Best JohnnyR 

Jsl,

Have not heard those exact models. Similar ones I have heard sounded fine but have not done critical listening. The specs say they should sound pretty good and the efficiency spec in particular jumps out. I’d be willing to give a try at that price. Not much to lose. Just because they are marketed for home theater mainly and not high end audio means nothing.  THey are newer design not old like heritage series.    Would klipsch put out a bad product?   I have Klipsch ear buds and they sound fantastic.     I also have much more expensive Sennheiser phones that also sound very good but cost 5X as much.

The later improved version of the LS3/5a was 11 Ohm. The modern Harbeth P3ESR is 6 Ohm and easy to drive. It likes a bit of power, but cannot handle too much of it. The ones in my 18 sq m study are driven by a 2x100 watt Quad 405-2 and that is fine, but more would be dangerous.

By all means use an LS3/5a type speaker in a small room like this. However, the modern Harbeth P3ESR is much better than the original LS3/5a (I have both).

http://images.klipsch.com/RB81IIcutsheet_635042118979170000.pdf

Not to disparage low cost speakers but always thought of this line as mass market HT stuff? How do they sound compared to traditional Klipsch Heritage Series Heresy III?

I agree. I don't use a pre-amp and have a nice 21 step attenuator on my VTA 120 amp. The DAC puts out plenty of signal to drive the amp. 

Regarding the hearing loss not much to say beyond I tend to favor 'brighter' presentation speakers to help compensate. That said, I still listen to mostly single instrument (piano, violin, female voice, acoustic jazz, etc..) so not even sure how much I'm really missing...

I have started to look at OB speakers just for the fun of it. My room is small and nearly square (10x12). Not room for pulling speakers off the rear wall.

Used to own and love Maggies (1.7 and 3.7) but I've since moved on given the limitations of my room and equipment choices. 

+1 yogiboy
You don’t need high efficient speakers in a 10x12 size room. The LS3/5a is a perfect speaker for your application.  Keep away from any ported speaker!

I am real sorry about the hearing loss (and worry about young people and their headphones).
I fail to understand how a separate pre amplifier can improve the sound (other than by having tone controls). Pre amplifiers once were necessary to bring the various analogue sources to the same level. If you only use digital sources there is no longer any need for this. A DAC with variable output like various Benchmark models (or the Marantz HD DAC1 or Pioneer U-05 at a more modest price level) will do the job just fine. If your DAC does not have a variable output, add an outboard volume control like the TC Level Pilot, or just use the digital volume control in the computer or disc player like the Oppo 205.

I do have the curves however my hearing aids already compensate for the loss where they can. Putting them in (both ears) literally turns on the treble for me when listening. The units are 15 or 20 channel programmable and set when I go for an audio test every two years or so. They are older but high end Widex units.

They amplify where there is loss pretty accurately--my hearing is strong at up to 6k, then drops very rapidly in both ears starting at 7k and is down from there on by nearly 60 or 70 db as I recall. Not quite deaf at that level but damn nearly so when trying to hear high hat, highest register etc.. So i doubt I'll get any additional benefit from further equalization on the mac.

Kind of sucks but probably self inflicted from years of motorcycle riding in the 1970s without ear protection and working in loud bars throughout my college years.

(((No preamp, Mac-mini running Audivana out to my Bryston DAC,))

 I would suggest you try a real analog preamp.
 This will assist you with the ability to grasp the music's nuance to more
 dynamic levels in a new appreciated way.

With regard to the size of your room.
Achieving a smoother in-room bass response with a more sophisticated boxless design speaker worked for me.
After trying 14 pairs of all size monitors on stands  I brought in the Vandersteen 1CI it uses a stepped or multi-enclosure baffle-less enclosure design which more costly types use.
 Listening to Johnny Cash just sounded far more natural, it's easier load, with tube amps made the coherence obvious and compared to these box designs made me say,
what was I thinking? Add in they are an evolution of over 30 years of functional progress and Phase and time correct should at least make you experience them as a contender.
 Best,
 JohnnyR
Vandersteen Dealer  

None of the LS3/5a type speakers are efficient. Of the modern incarnations, the Harbeth P3ESR in particular is glorious, and far better than the original. If the OP has little hearing above 7 kHz, no speaker will compensate. He might benefit from some tone control implemented on the MacMini, however. If his audiologist can supply a frequency curve for his hearing ability, he could download that into an equalizer program on the MacMini. But be careful not to destroy the tweeters.

I'm a huge fan of the LS3/5a, but would they be a good option for the OP if he needs/wants a speaker with a little more forward/up front top end? 

In all honesty, it may be tough to find a speaker at the $1500 price point that will out do the Legacys.

Why do you feel that you need high efficient speakers? In your small room with 60 watt amps and your musical tastes I would suggest a LS3/5A type of speaker. Spendor,Harbeth,etc. You can get a new Spendor S3/5R2 within your budget.
http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/94333/Spendor-Spendor_S35R2_Classic_Stereo_Speakers-Speakers
BTW, there is a pair of Harbeth P3ESRs listed here for $1600! Also the Spendor S3/5R2 is listed here for $1200!

From Bob Latino’s site:

The VTA ST-120 is a 60 WATT PER CHANNEL amplifier built on the same ST-70 stainless steel chassis as the amp pictured above.

The VTA ST-120 uses three custom wound USA made transformers and is available as a KIT amp or completely WIRED and tested.

This amp has the same quality components as the VTA ST-70 listed above. The optional tube set has a GZ34/5AR4 rectifier, three 12AU7 driver tubes and a matched quad of 6550 tubes.
The power transformer

I believe the amp is rated at 60 Watts in Pentode mode. Would like to keep cost to me about $1,500, but price point will be less an issue since I’m happy to purchase used but well loved units.

stand mount preferred. I listen in a small room (10x12) near field with speakers about 2 feet off back wall and 8 feet from my chair.  Moderate listening levels, rarely above 80db.

Do you have a price point in mind?

Sorry to hear of the hearing deficit.

Do I understand your amp pushes out 120wpc? At 4 ohms, or at 8 ohms?

Folks might want to know about the power bit, as well , are you looking for only stand mounts, and what’s the price range for these next speakers? Inquiring minds want to know.

I suspect if the power is 120w @ 8, the world should just about be your oyster for the majority of monitors.

good luck...