Starting a second system, need efficient speaker suggestions.


Just picked up a Cary SLI80 HS and need some speakers.

The amp is 80 watts or 40 watts triode. Reviews say triode sounds best. Room is 12x26x7 dedicated listening room in the basement.

I have a couple subs, so if they don't have the deepest bass, I can live with that. 

Budget around 4k.

traudio

Fyne Audio would work for you. I’ve not owned them but have auditioned them and they have all the attributes you are looking for. They are very efficient as well at something like 92db @8ohms. $4k might be difficult to find, maybe used, but they are outstanding. They are on my shortlist of speakers if I ever upgrade from my current speakers.  I’d also recommend Fritz speakers, which I do currently own.  They are easy to drive and have what you are looking for as well and are well within your price range.

First: triode better?

Me, and everyone prefers Ultralinear to Triode here, You will find reviewers saying this and that. I think you can plan on your amp sounding great at 80wpc. You might find a particular type of recording that you prefer triode, but I am sure you will use Ultralinear primarily

at 7' high ceiling, I would not go for a big woofer,

these on ebay

B&W Nautilus 805

should sound great, and if you want more bass, sub's it is. I recommend self-powered, stereo pair, front firing, located adjacent to the mains. Bass directionality comes from the overtones, 40, 80, 160, 320 .... 

Sensitivity: 88. That is a bit low, you will be ok,

however, if you use subs, and you remove the low bass requirement from the amp, i.e. pre-out, crossover in sub, back to amp, amp now sending only upper bass, mids, highs to the b&w, the 80 wpc will be plenty.

What sound characteristics are you looking for, and are you looking for new or used?