Seeking speakers under $3K for 10x12 ft room and driven by 20wpc tube amp


I currently have a pair of Apogee Acoustics Centaur Minors driven by a new Black Ice integrated tube amp. The small but dedicated listening room means I’m doing near-field listening with me and the speakers forming a 6’ triangle. As you might expect, these speakers have terrific midrange but at 85dB sensitivity they are a bit difficult to drive and feel limited in dynamics. The room is acoustically treated.


I almost exclusively listen to small combo acoustic jazz and vocals and I’m seeking recommendations for something easier to drive and more dynamic that provides a more “palpable presence” of the musicians when played at louder levels. Prefer small floorstanders for aesthetics but not essential and preferably a brand where I might have a chance to audition them (I’m in SoCal). Also open to used (e.g. something like Wilson Cubs). TIA!

p.s. thanks for the Sonus faber suggestion.

ristretto

Showing 1 response by fritzspeaks

All my speaker designs have series crossovers which use smaller and far fewer parts than regular crossovers and are a much easier load on the amplifier compared to other loudspeakers.  
 
Google any loudspeaker and see if they have a Stereophile review and go to the measurements page- the impedance and phase curves are all over the place verses a series crossover loudspeaker which gradually rises and the phase curve is mainly a straight line.
 
I have 8 integrated tube amps with EL84, EL34, 6L6, 6550, KT88 & KT90 power tubes with 12 to 80 watts per channel and a 300B amp @ 8 watts, a EL34 single power tube amp @ 5 watts and a Decware EL84 amp with 2.3 watts per channel that drives all of my speakers great in my 14 x 22 ft living room. 

Happy listening...   Fritz

 

https://www.fritzspeakers.com/images/speakers/new/RosewoodCarbon7SEmk22.3wattDecwareEL84Amp1000%20-%20Copy.jpg