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"Best" bookshelf/monitor for low-power amp?

I'm looking for recommendations to mate to a low-power 30wpc Red Wine 30.2 amp.

I was thinking moderately priced (no more than $5k used) high-efficiency monitors, for probably near-field-like listening. For a home-office application, so space is an issue and big ol' floorstanders will be too much. Digital audio only (via a DAC). Mix of music, jazz, classical, lots of female vocalists. Some rock for good measure. Okay, so, a little bit of everything. :-)

Room is 12x10x9 with glass on 3 sides (windows on 2, french doors on 3rd). Speakers will be able to be 2-3 ft from wall, bracketing french doors, shooting down longest axis at windows (with me and desk directly in front).

Currently on the chart, Zu Tone, GMA Callisto or Eos III. After that, I'm kinda stuck. I'd love to do something like a Harbeth SHL5 or Focal 1007 Be, but I'm worried that they'll just be "okay" with such a low powered amp (they're pretty inefficient).

Suggestions and input welcome. And yes, I know this is similar to other threads, but the caveat here is that I'm looking for "high-efficiency monitors" not just "best ever".

Thanks in advance ....
socrates7
reubent
6,939 posts
 
So crate, (Bill and Ted pun intneded...)

You could do much worst than the Reference 3A MM DeCapo (or DeCapo-i). These have been very popular for many years and with good reason. They are a pretty well balanced speaker from top to bottom and have very good bass extension and definintion for a monitor. They are also pretty attactive in the piano gloss finish. The are efficient and an easy 8 ohm load.

One other nice thing about the DeCapos is their long running popularity. You can nearly always find a used pair for sale for a good price. If you don't love them, sell them at little/zero loss. Heck, I bought a pair, used them for 4 years and sold them at a small profit! Yes, I had jumped on a good deal, but it just goes to show you that you can't go too far wrong.....

Enjoy,

TIC
magnumpi205
504 posts
 
Reimer McCollough
apv
35 posts
 
Hello,
I have had more monitors than I care to mention and have ended with a pair of the Ars Aures F1 monitors and could not be happier. They mate well with my Sophia Electric KT 88 and are easy to drive.
Good Luck,
Art
sherod
1,690 posts
 
I second the Reference 3A De Capo:

http://www.reference3a.com/mmdecapo.htm

socrates7 OP
77 posts
 
Looks like Reimer website is having some problems? Are they out of business?

Can anyone compare the Devore Gibbon 7.1 with the below?

Reordering the short list:

Reference 3A: MM De Capo i
GMA Eos III
Zu Tone

I'm interested in the Reimer's though. Just concerned they've imploded.

I've heard the Silverlines but was unimpressed. Nice speakers, but I was driving them with a SET and they just seemed like they'd be much happier with significantly more power. This was at a Cary dealer, btw, the 300SEI vs the 306 amp -- the latter, widely regarded as a not terribly refined Class D amp, blew away their very highly regarded SET. Personally, I just think the poor amp got sucked dry by those speakers, and I don't want it to happen with my tripath.

Triangles don't seem particularly efficient, nor the Ushers. Not that that's everything, but it's something. Again, my concern from the Silverline experience hits here too.

Anyway, anything else to throw in the hopper?

Thanks to all for the input ....
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