Recommendations for against the wall high efficiency speakers

@ghdprentice 

"flash in the pan companies"

good point. My approach was to only include companies that are at least 10 years old (few exceptions) OR have a significant number of reviews OR revenue over 5 million dollars a year.

E.g. MoFi, Revival. Fyne. Sonner

@kokakolia

Not something I would ask for or need.

I personally develop my own lists by starting with highly reviewed components… like Stereophile and The Absolute Sound recommended components. Then I research those. i will discover a couple more in the process. I don’t want new flash in the pan companies. But that is me.

I was only commenting that, it is nice someone went through the trouble…

@kokakolia 

It's data from speaker manufacturer's web sites. Which I said many times.

I have no clue what you are asking. Are you saying published specs are bogus?
Are you also asking (for reasons that are a mystery to me) if I have what experience with the items? How would my experience be relevant? It is an OBJECTIVE list of DATA. The point of OBJECTIVE stuff is exactly the opposite of one's experience, it's about the data that speaker manufacturer's publish. 
 

I have one advice for you: scroll. If you can't read a list and not criticize it from such a self-serving angle, just skip it. I thought the other dude was picky but at least he had a debatable point. 

@ghdprentice The list perplexes me. Does the author of the list have any experience with the items? Furthermore, technical specs for speakers are bogus. Mr. Devore said that himself, and his speakers are typically high efficiency. You may as well walk into a Hi-Fi shop and ask for a catalog. I am not being sarcastic here. All Hi-Fi shops stand behind their products, so every available item for sale is curated in a sense. This is truer for small shops which can't carry much inventory. 

Salesmen can help you, that's what they do. 

I have GoldenEar Triton 1’s, highly recommend a listen- 

@ozzy62 

Sorry. But someone goes through the trouble of posting such an extensive list… one intended to allow someone to follow up and dig in to the details gets my respect, not criticism. 
 

While I am a scientist at heart, I really appreciate folks offering information. Not critical of a few details.

@ghdprentice 

The actual flaw was referring to speakers of 90 db efficiency and a nominal four ohm load as “high sensitivity”. I’m sure you agree.

Another vote for the Charney Audio Maestro! Designed to be placed against or just off the wall depends on your room. Charney can have them finished any way you like or you can buy them naked and finish them yourself. Plus you have a choice of drivers from Lii, Voxativ, and AER to fit your budget and listening preferences. He also builds dacs, amps, preamps, and sells cd players and transports. Could be a one stop shop for you. 

http://charneyaudio.com/the-maestro.html

I just assumed everyone laughed seeing a comment about a long list being flawed because of a trivial typo. 

You, my friend, are wound up tighter than Dick’s hat band.

Yes, it’s a typo. Hence, a flaw. Don’t let it keep you up at night. And no, 90 db is not high efficiency. It’s ok, not the end of the world. Thicker skin is surely required if you want to internet.

@ozzy62 

there is no LaScala AK6.

And I never said there is. I spelled it correctly: "La Scala"

The AK6 was a typo from a review. Which is not a FLAW. But yes, there was ONE typo in my list from my database of 400 speakers.

You made a bigger mistake trying to correct me, when you couldn't spell La Scala. 

I am done with this kindergarten argument. You are just being difficult and vile. I spent 3 months putting together a database of speakers, entering data every weekend. I share it HERE  happily and freely when it's relevant to a question.

It seriously depresses me when I get a comment like this. Did you have a bad day? Are you taking it out on me? It did ruin my evening yesterday because I never acted in any bad way against you and yet your comment was demeaning and hurtful. 

Back to the basics: you have no clue what flawed means in terms of a database being flawed. A typo is not a flaw. I spent decades building software and database products that made great contributions to various industries, I know what flawed is vs quality is.

What's wrong with this world is belittling comments like yours.

Two items you left out, is anything being placed between the speakers and can a pair of wing walls be built at the outside ends of each speaker. Reason for the wing walls is Audio Note speakers typically are placed in corners and the wing walls would create that while defining the space. Sounds like Zu would work best. Anything other than a low rack between the speakers may become another issue to resolve particularly if it is cabinetry. Not sure what your wife has in mind but it seems she has constraints on you for some reason.

@grislybutter 

Please post a link to that LaScala AK6.

thanks in advance…..

@noodlyarm There is at least 1 Audio Note dealer in South Florida. You can find all their US dealers on the Audio Note website.

@ozzy62 you understanding of the word "flawed" is flawed. Same for high efficiency. But.... good effort.

@grislybutter

Your list is flawed. There is no such thing as a LaScala AK6.

And I don’t think many here would consider 90 db as high efficiency. That’s more like average.

The right speaker will be placed 6-7 feet from the side wall along the front wall (facing the stereo).   The left speaker will be about 8-10 feet from the right one (a long ways from the left wall).   All placements are theoretical at this moment until I get the speakers in here and start playing with them.

@lonemountain, thank you for the suggestion on ATC.   And thank you all for your thinking and suggestions.

When you say up against wall, which wall?  Are up against the front wall (the wide wall you look at while listening) or the side walls?  Two different strategies depending on which wall.  Up against side walls affects first reflection issues and a wide dispersion seeker might NOT be the best plan.  This is the one rare case where a narrow dispersion speaker can work better to keep sound off the side walls.  IF against the wider front wall AND you can get them away from side walls (meaning not in a corner), then wide dispersion is back on the option list so you can sit in a. larger area and still hear good sound.  

SO I work for them, as a caveat, as the US importer, but ATC developed a speaker for home theater I use myself at home.  I have an LCR of HTS40 passives.   This is a three way speaker that actually hangs on the wall.  They are serious speakers, but optimized to sound better mounting to the wall as tropically most speakers have too much bass once they are against a wall pr close to a wall.  ATC makes an entire range of hand made speakers that hang on walls called HTS.  Here's a link to the group so you can see what I mean: https://www.lonemountainaudio.com/2017/05/atc-introduces-home-theatre-series-on-wall-loudspeakers/

Brad

Thanks Everyone.   Great suggestions that really broadened my thinking and approach.   I’m very intrigued with Zu and Audio Note.   Both look like good options.   Now I’ve got to figure out where to go to hear them in the S. Florida area.

Another vote for Audio Note. I have the AN-E Spe-He's

Cornwall IV…it’s in the name!

Tannoy (second hand Stirling or Turnbury perhaps), Fyne and Klipsch all fit the bill imho, but the first 2 are very different from Klipsch.

Klipsch

I have the same constraints, but specifically need corner placement. I had been focusing on AN speakers, but wound up demoing and placing an order for a pair of Charney Maestros. He has two versions...one for corner placement, and one for front wall placement. They are super sensitive, so cover that part of the brief as well. Since he makes them to order, I had them veneered to match the furniture in room, which is appreciated by both my wife and me.

http://charneyaudio.com/the-maestro.html

I recently moved up the Zu line from Soul VI to Druid V (not VI).  Outstanding speakers from a value/performance perspective...and they have a great WAF.  I'm thinking of selling my Soul VI if you're interested.

as I see the Audio Note is rear ported, how are they good against the wall?

I heard some AN speakers, not sure the model,  at THE Show a few weeks ago.  They were placed at the corners of the room and sounded great!  Top 5 of THE Show.

Another recommendation for the Audio Note speakers. I recently upgraded my old pair of AN-E LX to the AN-E LX Signature hemp and the difference is remarkable. I have mine placed in the corners of my room. If you find yourself in the DC area and want to take a listen let me know. 

I like the Audio Note speakers quite a bit.  They are reasonably efficient and designed for corner or near back wall placement.  The Gradient Revolutions are also great at near wall locations (very flexible because the bass section can be tuned for different placement situations), but, they are not that efficient.

Zu speakers are quite efficient and can be placed near the wall.  Zu speakers are very "fast" sounding and extremely lively, but, to some listeners (myself included) they sound quite harsh and edgy.  People into electronic music seem to favor these speakers.  

Thank you all for significantly broadening my search!   It’s the journey as much as it is the end, and I like the end a lot too!

LARSEN speakers : they are specifically designed to be placed up tight against the back wall.

https://www.larsenhifi.com/en/larsen9.htm
https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/larsen-model-9-loudspeaker/

http://greenaudioreview.com/larsen-4-2-review/

Take a look at the Fyne Audio Vintage series between 93 and 96
https://www.fyneaudio.com/vintage-series/

I have a phenomenal Krell FPB 600 amp for sale. 

Dipoles against the wall? Sanders 10e with 2 magtec amps. Includes active crossover and dsp for bass down to 20hz. No subwoofer needed.

Not so efficient, but the amps are very efficient. Some acoustic treatment advisable to get best sound. Decent waf. 

Worth a listen if you can find them 2nd hand. Almost in your budget brand new...

Why not hang the speakers on the wall?   Take a look at the magnepan mci—- may be very wife appealing, and is dipole. 
https://magnepan.com/ 

+1 for the Monitor Audio Silver 500 7G. Not only are they the least expensive full range speakers in Stereophile's Class A Full Range category, they have an amazing combination of speed, agility and non-fatiguing ease that is very appealing. Their dual port tunability makes them easy to place and voice in the bass and lower mids. They're easy to drive, and their finish options help with the SAF as well. I have the 300s, same speaker, 2X6 instead of 2X8 woofers, identical mids and tweets in a smaller room and couldn't be happier. 

+1 for Audio Note

Easy! The Closer Acoustics OGY. They’re so criminally underrated that nobody mentioned them in this thread. You get the high efficiency, the point source and the front port. 

If we're going that way, then Snell A III.

Boston Acoustics A400

The Zu Floorstanders are flush to the wall.  I have the Dirty Weekenders, if that helps any.  Even the Omen monitors are just a few inches from the wall as they are on top of bookcases.

Rich 

consider...

KLH Model 5 Speaker 3 way sealed enclosure

sensitivity: 90.5 dB 

https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/klh_model_5/

https://klhaudio.com/klh-speaker-reviews/

@gill_benedek the Monitor Audio 500 7G does look like great value

@grislybutter - excellent resource in your response.

@noodlyarm : Dare I say you live in New York?  Well, I do, and I am in a similar set up in my apartment.  I recommend you give strong consideration to Audio Monitor Silver 500G 7 series (I believe 90.5 efficiency rating).  See below for my setup details.  Admittedly your budget is higher, but I chose the AM 500 7g after auditioning/listening to SF Lumina III, B&W 700 series options, Totems, and Focal 928.  I think the speed, resolution and soundstage of the AMs are great for the money, and even stood out from the (much) more expensive pack at the 2022 Toronto Audio show.  I like the synergy with with my Hegel.  

AUDIO SETUP:
** Hegel 190 (did not do the firmware update as I hear it shifts audio level such that 40 would now play at like 70).  
** Monitor Audio 500 7G
** Pine Tree Audio Cables (6ft Iso-Quad Bi-Wire)
** Sources: Tidal via BubbleUpnP and Spotify
 

BUT PERHAPS SLIGHTLY OVER YOUR SPEAKER BUDGET, PERHAPS CONSIDER THESE:

* Going slightly over budget for Revel Ultima Salon 2, since you could probably get this premier (slightly older speaker), though it's honestly probably too much speaker for your space.

* I've never personally heard Dyanaudio Contours and Confidence series but their price point and reviews seem to be compelling, on my short list to hear at some point.

* If you can find the avantgarde zero ta plus for that price point, it may blow you away, but hard to find and likely slightly more.  Amazing how after 15 minutes of listening the "horn" type of sound starts to normalize and then you wonder why they're not embraced more.

Definitely should check Audio Note Speakers. If you would like their speakers , Audio Note has some great sounding Integrated amps like the Oto and the Soro to go with their speakers. They also make fantastic DACs like the DAC 2.1x Sig and the DAC 3.1x/II Balanced. Audio Note makes everything ,so you can even try their cables.

Legacy Audio Signatures. 92 dB

https://legacyaudio.com/products/view/signature-se

some high sensitivity speakers:

@roxy54, Interesting idea.   I've not heard the Audio Note, but they are well reviewed.   I'll see if I can find a pair to audition somewhere.

@rar1, I love Zu and had not thought about them.   Can they be placed up against the wall?   I've only heard the Druid 5 out in the room a ways, and figured that ruled them out for me.

@paradisecom, I used to own a pair of La Scala's way back in the late 70's.   I loved them, particularly after I modded the crossovers and adopted the new (1980) mid driver.   They would be too large, but the Cornwall IV...   Hmmm.

@hedwigstheme, they don't have to be high efficiency, I just generally like the sound and dynamic contrasts of high efficiency speakers.   I've never heard of Gradient revolution, but I'm looking them up right after i hit send on this reply.

Thank you all.

Also, why of they have to be high efficiency? There are lots of high power amps for not much money that can give you dynamics.

Not efficient at all, but Gradient Revolution (the older the better for WAF) was made for this.