Please recommend speakers for 45 watt SET amps


Looking for fairly efficient (preferably 90 db min and 92db even better) speakers for my audio mirror SET 45 watt mono blocks. The speaker set is for a medium to large size room (8 or 10” speakers are fine but 12” overkill). I also have an audio mirror tube line pre. So lots of tubes going on. My sota sapphire runs through a Sutherland 20/20 phono preamp which is solid state and helps balance the tube side of sound. I’m also using the audio mirror tube dac. I listen to classic rock and blues, and some jazz. I would like a good all around speaker that would match this system. The Fyne 502sp keeps getting recommended to me, but I have no experience with them. Please help friends ! Thanks !!

128x128nd1971

Klipsch not what they used to be?  Guess that's right; they're better.  Forte IV's being run by 30wpc of class A.

fynes should sound just fine... 😉😁

seriously, vlad's 6c33c based monos have real world power for many many speakers, don't need the very high efficiency types, so if you have those amps, the choice of applicable, well mating speakers is ample

just stay above 88 db-m/w and below 4-5 ohm impedance for best performance

Thanks so much for all the recs. I’ve got a lot of research to do. I wonder how the Fynes would sound.  I have had thee of their dealers recommend them to me.  Has anyone paired the 502SP (or 702s) with SET amps?

Check out Verity Audio speakers.  They fly under the radar a bit but are tube friendly and are extremely musical and natural-sounding speakers with exceptional 3D imaging and soundstage capabilities.  Made in Canada. 

I had those Audio Mirror amps for many years, driving EgglestonWorks Fontaine speakers. I believe the main reason they drove them so well, and the sound was superb, was that the mid drivers had no crossover and the tweeters only a simple L-pad (one cap and one or two resistors), and never dipped below 5 ohms. Crossovers, depending on design, can eat power. The sound was sublime. They had the perfect combo of smoothness with the proper amount of bite. Thoroughly enjoyable for hours on end listening sessions. Beautiful speakers with beautiful sound. They no longer make the Fontaines, but its replacement model is the Emma EVOlution. 

I have these amps also and they, like Vlad, are wonderful. They drive my Eggleston  Works Fontaine Signatures. I listen to lots of rock, jazz, acoustic, and vocalists. Not super efficient speakers, but an easy load and these amps play way above 45w per channel. I also have lots of tubes in the signal chain. I tried more efficient Spatial Audio speakers, but they simply did not have the bloom, soundstage, and overall fullness and heft of the EgglestonWorks speakers. System is posted here on A’gon. I am interested in the new Union 6 Supreme from Zu.

Daedalus Audio Muse Studio Loudspeaker - Positive Feedback (positive-feedback.com)

If Agon does not eliminate the attached link, this is a great review of one of the Daedalus Audio speakers (Muse Studio) that are just a bit more than your budget.  As I said earlier, stunningly beautiful as they are sonically.   

Not opposed to used. I listen pretty much in the same position in a chair between the speaker so some but not a huge field is good. The problem with Klipsch is I was a bit miffed they came out with the forte 4’s so quickly after the 3’s and Several people who make audio equipment who I trust have been very disappointed in the quality of the Klipsch speakers recently, as in they aren’t what they used to be. 

I believe that horns love tubes and agree with others who have recommended Klipsch. Specifically, I think the Forte IV’s hit a sweet spot and may be a good fit for your room size. 

Are you open to buying used?  Do you need a wider sweet spot or are you only concerned with one optimal listening position for yourself?

Thanks for all the input. Great options. Budget is 10k and below. I had Spendor a4s and they were too relaxed. I have the Klipsch forte 3s and they’re too unrefined. I tend to like natural or slightly warm speakers. Hope that helps.  Keep the recs coming !

I agree @lak that Klipsch Heritage speakers are very efficient and sound good. I have Heresy Speakers that I was driving with a 40 watts per channel Cary Audio Sl-80 and I have a very large room and I could easily go louder than the anyone should find necessary.

Please, more info needed.  What speakers do you have now, what sound characteristics are most important to you, and what improvements are you looking for?  Also, budget?  This info will lead to much better recommendations here. 

Check out Daedalus Audio.  96db efficient and with a very stable impedance curve (so important).  Handcrafted solid hardwoods that are stunningly as beautiful as they are sonically.  Pricey, but worth it.  Natural tones that absolutely "sound right".

Find their website and read up on them.  I can speak testimony to them as a proud owner of the model Apollo 11, new Version-3 generation for 2022.

Best to you in your quest.

I’m close with Vlad, and his amps are wonderful. Consider Devore O/93, They’re lively and comforting at the same time, and they’ll look great paired with the Reflection monos. 

Thomas, that sounds fantastic to me. You're obviously doing something very right, and not just in the speaker department.

Dan from Whidbey Island

 

 

i have those same lovely amps from vlad

they work wonders on my spendor sp100 r2's as well as proacs

 

 

How about Vaughn Cabernett speaker driven by 48 Watt SET Line Magnetic 508.?

 

 

It is very efficient at 93db/w with two 10 inch active subwoofer and nice midrange out of ceramic driver.

 

If you are interested in this, I can give you a good deal on this.

 

Thomas