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

Hi there, I had a similar issue/problem. I have a pair of Rogers LS3/5a 15ohm speakers that I like very much and was driving them with 15 watt 300b mono block amplifiers.  After realizing that speakers were showing distortion at medium levels, I decided to get more power.  I was initially using the 300b mono amps because I wanted the best quality amplification driving the Rogers.  I’ve since moved to a Conrad Johnson Premier Four 100 watt EL34 amp, then a 45 watt single end 805 tube dual mono tube amplifier and finally now have a Conrad Johnson Premier 1b 130lb 150 watts EL34 tube amp.  All 3 of these amps sound great on the Rogers especially the 1b and the 805 tube amp.   So getting plenty of power or the correct amount of power is important. 

@lowtubes , I just did some googling and those have (what seem to my untrained mind) some interesting specs.  15 ohm/minimum of 12 ohm impedance, but sensitivity rated down at 82.5.  

im using audio physics step plus. its a tiny speaker but with big sound!! its quite impressive!!

I’ve enjoyed the 1979 Rogers 15 ohm LS3/5a for many years. They are speakers that are worthy of putting the best amplification you can get on them.  I’m using the monster 130lb CJ Premier 1b which is way more power needed for the speakers but it sounds great. 

I might be mentioning some older stuff here but what’s good is good, don’t matter how long it was made.  First time I hear the Rogers 15 ohm was at a dealer and the amps running them were Cary 805 mono blocks.