The first suggestion that comes to mind would be these from Omega:
https://omegaloudspeakers.com/products/super-3-high-output-monitor
Not quite a 100dB, but close enough for a small room like yours.
This Might Not Exist, Any reasonably priced, smaller speakers with 100db Sensitivity?
I am seriously considering putting together a system with power amp(s) that provide, at most 3.5 wpc. The Company behind them does not recommend using them with any speaker with less than 100db sensitivity.
Everything I am aware of is expensive and large to very large. Are there any quality speakers out there that would work effectively in a 12x10 room, and be capable of being driven by that amount of power? I would be happy to buy used, to keep the price affordable. I realize that the situation is not helped by the fact that many manufacturers inflate their claimed sensitivity.
Any expertise, recommendations or advice greatly appreciated.
The first suggestion that comes to mind would be these from Omega: https://omegaloudspeakers.com/products/super-3-high-output-monitor Not quite a 100dB, but close enough for a small room like yours. |
95db sensitivity, not big, 700/pair With 2 watts, you'll probably be sitting at 90db-ish with decent enough bass in that 12 by 10 room. https://tektondesign.com/product/full-range-speakers/monitors-loudspeakers/mini-lore-monitor/#color If you wanted 100 db sensitivity for a similar cabinet size, it will be a bass-less speaker (such is the physics). On the same note, 3.5 Watts sounds like a lousy amp. Try something like this instead, 10 watts @ 8 ohms, 15 watts @ 4 ohms, 30 watts in mono mode. https://www.schiit.com/products/gjallarhorn
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Quality sensitive speaker at a low price = Tekton. Polycell 15 is 103 dB. Perfect SET is 98 dB (there are two versions) It should be fine and I have a friend whose pair sounds great. I have successfully driven Encores (96dB) with a 2 wpc Decware EL84UFO. Some people don't like the looks. Also some jump to conclusions that these speakers ahe a huge array of tweeters. They have one tweeter. An array of the same small drivers is also used as a midrange. Jerry |
You will need to find speakers that are not only efficient, but also easy to drive. This means a true 8 ohm, or higher, impedance speaker. Tekton speakers mentioned above might work and they sound pretty good to me. Zu is also quite efficient, but don’t suit my taste—they are too harsh and brittle sounding to me. Although they are not extremely efficient, Audio Note speakers are easy loads and work very well with low-powered tube amps. They are meant for placement near room corners, which boosts their practical efficiency—they sound much louder than their efficiency rating would suggest. The AN-E model might actually have too much bass for a room your size, but it is more efficient than the smaller AN-J model which is meant for a smaller room. |
Hoffman’s Iron Law of speaker design says that you can’t have a small cabinet, high sensitivity, and extended bass response. But you can have two of the three. If you choose high sensitivity and small size, you would want to augment the speaker with a sub, or live without extended bass. In the small room, room gain will be working to your advantage though. |
@nightfall the Tektons are very tube amp friendly. that said, 4 wpc should be plenty for any 98 dB speaker. something wasn't right. I am currently sitting here listening to my 4 wpc tube amp (AD1 output tubes) driving my 98dB Horning speakers. I'm about 1/3 volume, I hardly ever get above 1/2 full volume, and before I get to 1/2 full volume it becomes very hard to talk over the music. Jerry |
My secondary system has a 4wpc Erhard SET driving Omega monitors to very satisfying levels in a relatively large space--very much louder than "conversation level" While I have paired my Tektons with small tube amps, I think small SET amps like avoiding crossover networks. I much prefer this small amp with a full range driver such as the Omegas. (and I much prefer the Tektons with high powered solid state) |
"Full range driver" = compromised in every range. There are different tekton models. The moabs i currently have love high current, but, a 100 watts or so should be plenty, they don't needs 1000s of trash wstts. But, i believe the Perfect SET Tekton models (though having the same sensitivity as a moab) were specifically designed for flea...flea-flea-flea of flea watt ( lil weener special). Call Tekton and he may give you the technical scoop on what he had to do...to satisfy the needs of the lil weener watt pilgrims.
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