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

Yes those Spendor A1s are a great deal, but with their sensitivity I’m still concerned about its sense of scale or dynamics. I have a pair of vintage Aurum Cantus standmounts rated at 87dB and 8 ohms and I still can’t get a sense of a live performance at front row center, if you will, despite the small room. And the volume knob is already 80% of max. My phone app tells me I’m listening at 70-80dB spl.

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

 

Zu DWX will most likely give you the scale and dynamics you are looking for

I think the impedance is more significant than the efficiency. If you plan to continue using a tube amp. 

Another thumbs up for Omega monitors.  I have the Super7 Mk II's and am getting great results with a 4wpc SET amp.  They are in a much larger room than yours and I am shocked at what spl I can achieve with this system.  I just added a pair of REL T/X5's.  I am amazed with the results.  Huge sound stage, dynamic, great detail yet smooth.  I can listen all day.  This system, including stands, could come in under your budget.

My primary system is a bit jealous right now.