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Triangle Theta vs. B&W 805D3 with Luxman tube amp

I'm trying to put together a small system for my office, 12x15ft room. 
I auditioned Triangle signature theta with Luxman SQ-N150. The combination sounded good to my ears. 
I'm also tempted to get 805D3 but unable to audition with Luxman tube. I know it is entirely subjective but I was wondering what is a better speaker for this amp? I understand BW is a more recognized brand and would probably keep its value better than triangle. Triangle has a metal tweeter, does It mean it's brighter than diamond tweeter on 805? How do these speakers compare in general? Is 10W Luxman good enough to drive either speaker? 
This system will be mostly used for Vocals and Jazz. I like to play loud, but also has to sound good on low volume at night.  Thoughts? 
ei001h
10 responses Add your response
lak's avatar
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lak
4,625 posts
 
Looking at the specifications below for the B&W 805D3, I'd be leary of the Luxman having enough power to properly drive the B&W 805D3's. 

specifications

Technical features
Diamond tweeter    
Continuum™ cone bass mid    
Anti-resonance plug    
Flowport™    
Optimized Matrix    
Solid body tweeter    
Tweeter-on-Top        

Description
2-way vented-box system    

Drive units
1x ø25mm (1 in) Diamond dome high-frequency    
1x ø165mm (6.5 in) Continuum™ cone bass midrange        

Frequency range
34Hz to 35kHz        

Frequency response (+/-3dB from reference axis)
42Hz to 28kHz            

Sensitivity (1m on axis at 2.83Vrms)
88dB

Harmonic distortion
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m on axis)    
<1 % 70Hz - 20kHz    
<0.6% 120Hz - 20kHz            

Nominal impedance (min)
8Ω (minimum 4.6Ω)        

Recommended amplifier power
50W - 120W into 8Ω on unclipped programme    

Max. recommended cable impedance
0.1Ω    

Dimensions
Height: 424mm
Width: 238mm
Depth: 345mm

Net weight
12.6kg (28lb)    

Cabinet finishes
Gloss black
Satin white
Rosenut
Prestige

Grille finishes
Black
Grey


auxinput
2,920 posts
 
I don't know about that.  They are both very similar for impedance ranges (nominal 8 ohm with a minimum 4.4 or 4.6 ohm).  While the Theta Triangle is 2 db more efficient, 10 watts is not a lot of power to play with.  Keep in mind that tube amps will saturate much lower than rated power, so you really will only get about 5-6 watts clean power.  An amp like this would probably do better with a more efficient speaker (like 95-97db).
ei001h OP
286 posts
 
Do you think the Diamond speaker class is comparable to theta or higher end Magellan from triangle ? 
ei001h OP
286 posts
 
What about the horn tweeter on Triangle? Is it known to be bright ? Would a luxman tube amp tame that brightness ? I guess my question is which is a better stand mount option? BW 805d3 or triangle theta or duetto ? I haven’t excluded other tube amps yet. There is a unison research amp that sounds ok paired with triangle on YouTube. 
lak's avatar
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lak
4,625 posts
 
I would think almost any speaker in the db range of the high 90's and up would work well with the Luxman SQ-N150.
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mayoradamwest
430 posts
 
I am biased. I own the 805D3 as my secondary room setup. They are an astonishingly good, balanced, neutral speaker that sounds wonderful with a tube. If your room is relatively small, I think 10W is probably fine if you aren’t listening at very loud levels. You won’t be disappointed with the 805. 
cmach
193 posts
 
I owned a pair of Signatures 805's and powered them with a pair of Manley Snappers. In Ultralinear mode (about 100W) they sounded great. If I ran them in Triode mode (about 33W) per side they ran out of steam quickly. Dynamics, bass and sound-staging did a nose dive. The Luxman is a great amp and the B&W's are great speakers but I think you would be better off getting a more efficient speaker or a more powerful amp
Good luck
ei001h OP
286 posts
 
Would Mcintosh MC275 be a better match for aforementioned speakers ? Or would it be overkill to spend nearly equal amount on an amp? 
 I also have a mastersound compact 845 30W SET which I could try as well. 
Did anyone have a chance to hear both speakers with a tube amp? 
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mayoradamwest
430 posts
 
If you already have the amp, why not get the speakers and see what happens first?
ei001h OP
286 posts
 
I'm pretty sure my Mastersound will drive them just fine. My question is would 10W Luxman be adequate or would Mcintosh be better suited based on power alone. These questions are for those who actually own the speakers and have experimented with tube amps. 
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