Moderate Efficiency Speakers for Integrated Tube Amps
DrGregC -- Fri, 06/17/2011 - 23:21
I am in the process of downsizing from large Dunlavy speakers with Levinson amplification to smaller floorstanding or bookshelf speakers with moderate power (35 watt EL34 or 40 watt KT88) integrated tube amplification. I don't need super high efficiency speakers, just efficient enough to be a good match for a tube amp. I am hoping for full-range sound at more modest listening levels.
After years of status quo, I ventured out recently to audition some new equipment. I listened to a low-powered (15 watt) integrated Leben tube amp paired to Dynaudio Focus 220 speakers (86 dB efficient). This was a great match although I am concerned that the sound will compress and the imaging will collapse at higher volumes or in a bigger space than the demo room.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
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Give the Golden Ear speaker a listen.
Like the Dunlavys, the Golden Ear Triton is a floor-standing dynamic driver speaker that still manages to virtually disappear when set up properly. And you can drive with a small, and I do mean SMALL amplifier.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
The Golden Ears are indeedvery good but they do not match my BG Z-62s that I use with stereo active subwoofers. Unfortunately BG is no longer making the BGs. The BG-62s where maily markets for home theatre and many audiophilles missed out on how great they are for stereo. Do not be afraid to try mini monitors such as Nola boxers with small stereo subwoofers such as the PSB withs 10" and 225 W to cover the bottom 2 octaves! As to towers that can sound better than the Golden ears, Martin Logans ESL and other models are very good but in most rooms need a large amount of space between them and the rear wall. So if you don't have a large room, the Golden ears certaily have an adavantge and with their built in active subwoofers they are hard to beat for bass as well.