Have you moved away from full range to standmount speakers + subs?


I want to know if you have been on a journey moving from a large full range speaker to a smaller one paired wit subs, maybe even four subs.


Maybe you moved away from the big speakers because you had too much bass or you got a better soundstage from the smaller speakers. Let me know what motivated you and if you think it’s better now.


My motivation for wanting to try smaller speakers.


I have the Tekton DI and until a month ago I was using a LM845P SET amp to drive them.

It only sounded good on simple jazz and vocals but on complex music everything was falling apart.

I am not playing loud but I think it was the low 2 ohm load in the midrange that made the LM break down.


I bought a used PS Audio BHK250 and pre and it was like getting new speakers. Never ever had it occurred to me that speaker and amp matching could have such a profound effect.


So I am enjoying my speakers now and listen to music I have avoided like the plague and enjoying it (:


But all of this got me thinking, what if I paired my LM845P with an easy to drive speaker and paired it with some subs?


Then the LM845 could do what it's best at, playing glorious midrange and the subs could play the bass.

So that's my motivation for trying smaller speakers.


I am also hoping that maybe I could get better and more even bass with 2 or 4 subs. Maybe a better soundstage because the small speakers have a very small baffle.

martin-andersen
phusis, good points! Yes, I concur that when one reaches the far end of the speaker efficiency spectrum that extreme amp power is not necessary. I was thinking of speakers more in the range of 4-8 Ohm and 80 to mid 90's sensitivity. Nice clarification, thank you! 
Then why the blanket condemnation of tube amplification and dismissal out of hand? I dont think you do yourself any favors when you post nonsense like that paragraph on these forums. As if you have heard all the "pissy" 100W tube amps made. As phisus points out, the speaker/amp interaction is key. Just because the PAP speaker you discuss is higher efficiency doesnt mean that it is a tube friendly speaker. 
I also have separate systems, one with towers and the other with monitors/subs and each have their strengths. My listening training was with floor standers and is why I’m unable to fully appreciate the monitors. Difficult to undo what you know. 
@sandthemall I have Salk stand mounts and you’ve made me curious as to what their hiding, but some recent amp changes have pushed them higher.  Second set of more sensitive speakers does pique my curiosity, though. 
Funny, Jesus was overly persecuted too!
That one made me chuckle. I did not know there was a difference between being “persecuted” and being “overly persecuted.”  
I haven’t. Floor standing is all I’ve known and I’m done buying speakers.