Recommendations for best most efficient speakers

A pantale, note that the sensitivity rating alone doesn't tell the whole story, and can even lead you in the wrong direction. A 4 ohm speaker will have a higher 2.83 volt sensitivity rating because 2.83 volts into 4 ohms is 2 watts, but may well not play as loud or sound as good on a given specialty tube amp as an equivalent 8 ohm speaker with 3 dB lower voltage sensitivity. Also, if the amplifier in question has a very low damping factor, the smoothness of the impedance curve will be a factor in the net tonal balance.

Duke
dealer/manufacturer

Tvad, I've shown the Jazz Modules with a 5-watt SET amp at RMAF 2006; a 15-watt SET amp at Lone Star '07, and a 30-watt SET amp at CES '07. One of my customers tried a bunch of different amps and for a long time his favorite was a 2.5 watt SET, but I think he has moved on to something else (I don't recall what). I've also shown the Jazz Modules with a 30-watt OTL amp.

With the 5-watt SET at RMAF '06 we did have some audible clipping on loud solo piano, but other than that I didn't have to watch the volume control.

The Dream Makers have only been to one show so far, RMAF '07, and there they were driven by a 30-watt OTL amp. We were probably getting around 110 dB peaks at the listening position, extrapolating from estimates made by Lynn Olson. This is way louder than I ever normally listen.

As for slam, mine are pretty good in that area but I won't claim they are in the same league as the big guns from Classic Audio Reproductions. Speaking of which, I bet Johnk could do a custom speaker that would be serious competition for the big CARs.

I might be showing a pair of Dream Makers in southern California in a couple of weeks - if so, want me to give you a holler?

Duke