SET 45 and their (real) required speaker efficiency

Hello Isochronism,

Thanks for that. I had not idea a single driver could get there. Curious, after having made a great gold find, have you done any post research to see if there are any other Lowther, or perhaps Fostex, drivers/cab pairing that give the same performance as far as db? I would enjoy having those I'm sure, just too much for my limited space. 

On a separate topic, how would you rate the Lowthers, as far as tonality, paired w/your amps? Say, starting at neutral on acoustic instruments? 

Hey roberjerman,

Yep, I've considered those just for the size aspect. I don't want crossovers, but hey, at 100db, with the bonus of that size for my room. All win win. 

Thanks for that extra bit isochronism, gives a bit more to check out. It's starting to look like I'm going to find the speaker before I order the 45. I do have a 2a3 shipping any day now, so that will help with the speaker choice. As it's not quite as much drive as my 300B. 

Exactly, people do seem to have a love/hate thing going on with their no cross-over 1 driver pair of speakers. I hear these drivers as a great extension of the amps' electronics. My cable of choice is directly from what a majority of studios use. Mogami cable. And I'm working on finishing all my cables with KLE connectors. Then I'll change to KLE for my speaker terminals. So, as much as I can use the same wire/connectors to get the amps signal to the driver, the more I at least feel like I'm trying. So far, it's paid off very well. I am not exaggerating when I finally had 90% of my cables/connectors from all the same make and the difference was immediate. t's funny, many big name 'audiophile' companies will claim to get the speaker first, "speakers are everything". I guess it's true to some point. But if you talk with Louis over at Omega, he states that it's the amps sound which is everything. His speaker is only there as an analog electronic extension, of sorts, of the amp. As there is not much between. A very well respected SET designer has mimicked almost the exact same words. Makes me wonder. But yeah, I save a lot of money with this cable/connector thing due to making my own. I'm anal about it all. Thermal wire cutters, Cardas solder and taking care of my best solder tips. Saves me so so much cash. The next move will be to repeat it but all with KLE copper connectors. 

Thanks again. I'll look up the Virtuoso for size and performance. Maybe I can use the size of this cab. 

I know how you feel about wanting to see gear go to a good home. I’ve had a couple of limited production amps that I purchased for the investment. Wow, and did I ever get a great trade with one of them. I’m still shaking my head. But, I did start to enjoy the amp a lot. But, they promised to keep it in the family for a very long time.

Anyway, great people of Audiogon. I just want to thank all of you for all the great information (my favorite audio source of information). I’m now traversing page after page and getting speaker choices narrowed. But, thanks to you guys, I feel much more comfortable making the right decision in pairing speakers with this certain amp.

Take care!

Hey,

In looking around, I keep checking out Decewares' site to compare how their rated efficient speakers stand next to others. I've been looking at a lot of Lowther cabs. I guess at this point I should move this over to the speaker section, but since you guys are here I'd like to throw out a quick question regarding one speaker on Decs site. I ran across a small read regarding how new technologies are allowing for better sounding larger drivers. I then remembered a 15" 100db driver over at Deceware. It's the Model: ZF15L (open baffle)
Have any of you run across anyone that has perhaps heard this speaker? And as a general question, can speakers at Decs site be considered good enough to stand on their own sold at Deceware or elseware? I can almost answer this question as they have an Omega speaker. I think I've scratched anything under 98db off my list, even though I'm listening @4' to tweeter and under 90db 90% of the time with solo to small ensemble classical. Don't shoot me, but I'll leave a YouTube link to the speaker. What got me curious was the piano and cello sound. Both of these instruments of course sound very large, and they seemed to sound just about good enough in this demo. Speaker tone, and all the rest aside. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byhqlewpQQY

thanks

Yep, I've considered those just for the size aspect. I don't want crossovers, but hey, at 100db, with the bonus of that size for my room. All win win.

I did run across a thread where the original Heresy is around 96db. Do you have the original, II, or III?

thanks

Hello ricwa,

such great news thanks man. I think i'll call Louis for sure on Monday to try and get his honest opinion on the amp I'm looking at, and what he thinks. I just realized the new Super Alnico tower is 97db. Looks like two exact drivers w/one w/o the tweeter. May be interesting to try a get a demo pair to listen to. 

Thanks jmolsberg. Another declaration of confidence in my amp of choice and current speakers. 

Thanks David, I literally just finished re-reading segments of an 'article'(?) I had intended to include in my question that relates to your statement. You are most indeed correct, Classical/Contemp. Classical can run the full gamut of dynamics. But, I rarely listen to full scale symphonic pieces on speakers, and if I do it is on headphones. I've just found it easier that way overall -for orchestrations. So, yes, small ensemble to solo performances/recordings is my lifeline. But, even then, dynamics can come into the picture pretty quick. Surprise 'attacks' during a Feldman piece or two anyone? :D

But, I'll go ahead and post a quote that I keep running over in my head. And I just can't figure out if this guy is pushing his 100db drivers or giving honest good information. Here it is:

"No wonder even classical musicians are complaining about damage to their hearing. And by the way, there's not a whole lot of deep bass, even from a full orchestra with 4-6 bass players.
Now, recreating a live musical event from 2 watts take serious measures and I won't recommend anything less than 97-98 dB sensitivity, preferably 100 dB/2.8V. Some day I'll try to make a ~100 dB system from my Supravox drivers" http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/HES.htmhttp://

So, my main question with this quote is whether he is referring to a full-blown symphony when he states 'recreating a live musical event from 2 watts'? Surely, I have heard classical guitar recordings (which I once played prior to destroying my wrists), as well as violin, for example, that may not be whizzing past the 2 watt limitations. 

I've been looking at Fostex drivers, which seems to be one 'go to' for efficiency, and not finding many beyond my current speakers db. Is it the complicated looking cabinets that add to the efficiency? Not at all unfamiliar with the likes of some Lowthers cabs.  

I'm quickly getting the idea that a horn speaker of some sort is the way. I only wonder if there are any small enough for a smaller room. That's another thing I forgot to mention in my post. My listening range is near-mid field. About 3-4' from the speakers. Would this help at all with a 95-98db range? 

Sorry for another long ramble post guys. Just a lot I've been thinking about, and unfortunately, have forgotten many of my writing class strategies regarding the quick and coherency approach. :D

thanks,
rob