"Best" bookshelf/monitor for low-power amp?


I'm looking for recommendations to mate to a low-power 30wpc Red Wine 30.2 amp.

I was thinking moderately priced (no more than $5k used) high-efficiency monitors, for probably near-field-like listening. For a home-office application, so space is an issue and big ol' floorstanders will be too much. Digital audio only (via a DAC). Mix of music, jazz, classical, lots of female vocalists. Some rock for good measure. Okay, so, a little bit of everything. :-)

Room is 12x10x9 with glass on 3 sides (windows on 2, french doors on 3rd). Speakers will be able to be 2-3 ft from wall, bracketing french doors, shooting down longest axis at windows (with me and desk directly in front).

Currently on the chart, Zu Tone, GMA Callisto or Eos III. After that, I'm kinda stuck. I'd love to do something like a Harbeth SHL5 or Focal 1007 Be, but I'm worried that they'll just be "okay" with such a low powered amp (they're pretty inefficient).

Suggestions and input welcome. And yes, I know this is similar to other threads, but the caveat here is that I'm looking for "high-efficiency monitors" not just "best ever".

Thanks in advance ....
socrates7

Showing 1 response by reubent

So crate, (Bill and Ted pun intneded...)

You could do much worst than the Reference 3A MM DeCapo (or DeCapo-i). These have been very popular for many years and with good reason. They are a pretty well balanced speaker from top to bottom and have very good bass extension and definintion for a monitor. They are also pretty attactive in the piano gloss finish. The are efficient and an easy 8 ohm load.

One other nice thing about the DeCapos is their long running popularity. You can nearly always find a used pair for sale for a good price. If you don't love them, sell them at little/zero loss. Heck, I bought a pair, used them for 4 years and sold them at a small profit! Yes, I had jumped on a good deal, but it just goes to show you that you can't go too far wrong.....

Enjoy,

TIC