The eternal quandary size versus sensitivity versus quality!! Help wanted!!


So I keep going around and around and around on this, so I might as well put it on Audiogon( posted also on Audiokarma), so someone else can also go around and around( big grin)!

I am looking for speakers for my third set up. This is in a bedroom/office, Where the speakers will essentially be in the near midfield, 4 to 5 feet from speaker to seated your level. The speakers will be on a portion of the desk, one area slightly higher than the other and surrounding a 50 in 4K TV, which serves as the computer monitor.

All input will be digital: 1. MacBook Pro(Apple lossless, FLAC, Redbook and better)-using USB to 2. COS H1 (DAC-headphone amp), to 3. PP UL Audio Space 2i(uses EL84s).integrated tube,@ 12-16 Watts, Audioquest/Mogami cabling. First had old old(don't ask!!) Bose acoustimass blocks, then for the hel! Of it on Amazon-super sale (and based on reviews)bought the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones speakers, and now want the best.

The Bose were as expected (😉), the Pioneers are"ok" with music: a relatively clearer and deeper bass than I expected(I am absolutely going to get another compact sub for under the desk anyway), but an imprecise mid and dull muddy highs. All the negatives in sound quality are actually accentuated when moving out of desk chair, back into a seated sweet spot 12 or so feet distance from speakers. SPL at that site is JUST adequate for my ears( with rock, not so much classical) and yet these are "fairly" sensitive speakers(Pioneer 85 db, Stereophile test 86, rated 6 ohms, tested generally greater than 10 ohms), and I would like a bit more loudness headroom.

The other issue is size, as the Pioneers are just about right, although I could fit a bit larger, but the back of speaker is wall/window constrained as to distance away and any rear port function, say max 8 inches, dependent on speaker size.

As their are no real good audio dealers near me, auditioning and store comparison is absent. I have read nearly every forum post, review and manufacturer data concerning the possible lineup of suspects that meet size criteria and trying to get a high sensitivity, generally contradictory terms! Read about (all models within manufacturer that approach criteria), including ELACs, KEFs, B&W 5in, MLs, Polk, Sonus Faber, Dynaudio, Focal, Fluance, Klipsch, Dali, Dayton, JBL, Zu, etc.. Price is important, but given size And sensitivity requirements, less so since small size more or less equals small( audiophile relative here 😉) price.

I would really like someone to say, best speaker is the.....but.......

Auditioning in house is a haste, as returns a pain, and I guess amazon is probablythe easiest for this for me(FedEx nearby).

I guess I am leaning towards:

Dali Zensor 3 SPL 87, 8.07 x 11.54 x 13.82 in

KEF Q100. 86 db , 11.8 x 7.1 x 10.7 inches ; note other KEFs too large or too insensitive

ELAC unifi b6. 85 db(Probably not sensitive enough for my needs)   , 7.87 x 10.75 x 12.75 in,;     other ELACs, same as for other KEFs

Zu Omen(4Kand Large 18 in)/cube(1k)(both high effficency!!), but absolutely need sub with cube, 12 in

I really really would value input. I like the amp and just retubed( have used the original Audio Space tubes -probably high grade select Shuguang; had RCA NOS; Psvane select; now for the he!! Of it trying Gold Lion(had good luck w these) and JJs-- please no tube discussion here!!), and do Not want to change the amp(nice size and weight). I do not really want the hassle of used speakers. Would like to stay around $2 k or less. I noted SIZE importance as well as sensitivity explanation. I noted the internet purchase, sound unheard requirement( I am also kinda disabled, sigh). So guys and gals HELP.

Thanks in advance
northernescape

Showing 10 responses by northernescape

Thank you for responding. Algebra, I noticed the Kenton appeared to all be powered and I would miss my tubes sound😉. He room is say 12 by 12 , 8.5 ceilings, and essentially very well damped with lots of furniture etc..  I looked at the Sterlings and  Harbeths, but will look again. Thanks for the Acoustic Sounds tip.

Any other ideas from anyone? Does anyone have experience with the Audience ClairAudient 1+1? That looks very intresting!
thanks
I actually bidbon the Dalis, did not get them. Someone on another thread suggested Omegas...anyone have any experience with them?
Great summary Blindjim and, despite the hassle in getting in several sets, I concur. If I do not like them the kids certainly would value them as a present, birthdays, holidays whatever!!

For many of the manufacturers it is sometimes difficult to obtain freq/I graphs, but I need to look around for reviewed models, and maybe limit choices based on that. Not a bad starting point I guess!

Any other thoughts are welcome!!
I was all set to order the Omega super 3 ho's tomorrow, but now I guess ATCs need consideration.

SF, agree with you completely regarding the LS 50s-- I just don't like their sound that much. The PIII ESR's I do like, but fear they were going to require more power than my Flea Amp will put out.

Hence, we're still going round and round about which is the absolute best speaker to get for my near Field situation. 

I did acquire a Primaluna Dialogue 5 with KT88s, and have bought a lot of new, old(?) NOS NIB tubes to roll in it. This was initially for the nearfield setup, to get that extra power and enable me to really get the very best speaker, and not have to worry about power. But the more I thought about it 12 clean, good watts SHOULD really be theoretically enough, especially with the tubes =3x ss, rule. So I am going to try that out for kicks in the main set up as a second amp. There I might need to roll KT150s into the PL to get the B&Ws up to speed, will see.

SF, have the Omegas grown on you any more, since your review was my incentive to pull the pin on them? And what about athe Audience 1+1, AudioNotebook ANK, Dynaudio Contour 20, PSB Imagine, Reference Reflector......? I take to heartBlindjims comments, but having issues with getting  real I/F data, no way to trial, and as confused as ever.

i really hate to admit this, but like in a restaurant when someone is(used to be my kids) left side ordering, I often opt for the absolutely most expensive one when there are similar choices. I always figure it has to be expensive for SOME reason!  We all know that does not always really work in audio, but I have to tell you, I really, really am down to that in getting this speaker pair, since even store demos are not nearfield, usually.
Stfoth,  mostly everything but metal, i.e. Classic rock , folk, classical, classic jazz, a smattering of opera occasionally, but probably mostly the first four.
Not yet, but bought a Mac 2125 (off here but guy was local, just had to), for the rec room as power for the ht fronts, Or give to son who has been drooling over Mac stuff forever.

stfoth, know or tried and Quads, specifically the ones?
Btw as to music again, m test of components is usually Joni Mitchell, "A Case of You", but I do love a heavy horn loaded orchestral piece. Would those be muddied by Omegas? I can only guess how good "A case.." would sound!!
A smaller equivalent that I have considered is on audiogon now, the Zu Cube..... https://www.audiogon.com/listings/monitors-zu-audio-cube-2017-06-10-speakers-84054-north-salt-lake-u... .  Pretty fair starting price, unsure what the wood is and I asked.
The minuet Grand or the Minuet Supreme plus( or even sr17), which would you recommend after hearing? Has anyone heard the Silverlines and the small Salks, and if so, which do you prefer? I like the ribbons on the Salks, but both the Silverlines and Salks get rave reviews. At 699 the minuet supreme is easily the most inexpensive, and if I did not like it, kids here it comes bg .