Truly High Efficiency, High Quality, Nearfield Usable, Affordable Speakers, Do They Exist?

[TubeLover]

I have the opportunity to acquire a really superb 2a3 based SET amp (3.5wpc) at a great price from a friend. This is a wonderful amplifier, with a great design, and the finest parts. My problem is whether there are any high quality, affordable,and high sensitivity speakers that will work with it in my circumstances. My office/den is 10 x 10 x 8, with the limitation that it must also house my desk, an equipment shelf, filing cabinets, and a few other things. Based on this, the speakers will be in the nearfield, no more than 5-5.5 feet or so from the listening position, 5-6 feet apart (again dependent on size)and within a foot to a foot and a half of the front wall, depending on speaker depth I'm hopeful these speakers could be found, reasonably affordable (bought used) to maximize value for dollar. While I do have a main, primary system downstairs, I'm probably only able to sit down and listen too that 8-10 hours a week. While working in the office/den, and also surfing the net researching things, handling finances, etc. etc. I'm listening up there a 35 hours a week, so this systems performance is very important to me for that reason. 

I'm certainly aware of many larger highly efficient speakers, mostly expensive speakers, though not any that can be used in the nearfield for my needs. And there especially seems to be a dire shortage of high efficiency monitors, which would probably work best in this situation, although a small footprint floorstander could also work. Any recommendations, suggestions or expertise in this matter would be immensely appreciated. Thanks.

 

JC

[Ralf11]

at only 5 ft away you can get the same SPL at lower efficiency than in your main system at a greater distance

 

I unfortunately don't have any other ideas for you.

[AudioDoctor]

I have never tried them, but I have heard good things about these:

 

 

https://www.blumensteinaudio.com/all-products/orca-3-inch-fullrange-pair

 

I am thinking about trying them with my project I told you about the other day.

[RickyV]

https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/monitor-speakers

[TubeLover]

11 hours ago, RickyV said:

https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/monitor-speakers

Thanks. Based on a number of other recommendations.I was actually planning on calling Louis at Omega today.

 

JC

[JMotzi]

On 2/12/2020 at 3:35 AM, RickyV said:

https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/monitor-speakers

 

Highly recommended!

 

JM

[davide256]

On 2/12/2020 at 12:16 AM, TubeLover said:

I have the opportunity to acquire a really superb 2a3 based SET amp (3.5wpc) at a great price from a friend. This is a wonderful amplifier, with a great design, and the finest parts. My problem is whether there are any high quality, affordable,and high sensitivity speakers that will work with it in my circumstances. My office/den is 10 x 10 x 8, with the limitation that it must also house my desk, an equipment shelf, filing cabinets, and a few other things. Based on this, the speakers will be in the nearfield, no more than 5-5.5 feet or so from the listening position, 5-6 feet apart (again dependent on size)and within a foot to a foot and a half of the front wall, depending on speaker depth I'm hopeful these speakers could be found, reasonably affordable (bought used) to maximize value for dollar. While I do have a main, primary system downstairs, I'm probably only able to sit down and listen too that 8-10 hours a week. While working in the office/den, and also surfing the net researching things, handling finances, etc. etc. I'm listening up there a 35 hours a week, so this systems performance is very important to me for that reason. 

I'm certainly aware of many larger highly efficient speakers, mostly expensive speakers, though not any that can be used in the nearfield for my needs. And there especially seems to be a dire shortage of high efficiency monitors, which would probably work best in this situation, although a small footprint floorstander could also work. Any recommendations, suggestions or expertise in this matter would be immensely appreciated. Thanks.

 

JC

I’m running Magnepan 1.7’s temporarily off of 1 watt class A in a 12x 12 room, only loss is lowest bass and really loud. Just do better than 85 dB speaker efficiency and avoid ported speakers like the plague in a small room. 

[TubeLover]

I'm honestly, and completely shocked that you found you could even remotely drive Maggie 1.7's with 1 watt. I once tried a 20 watt SET amp with my .7's and it could not even begin to drive them. I then tried a friend's pair of tubed monoblocks that were rated at 60wpc with similarly poor results. They didn't begin to work until I brought in much more powerful amp. 

 

JC

[RickyV]

@TubeLover how did it go with the Omega’s? Have listened to them?

[TubeLover]

Ricky, 

 

Most unfortunately, the wonderful amp I was going to buy was severely damaged in transit. After it was returned to it's previous owner, he contacted me indicating it was a complete loss. That ended this story, sadly. I was awaiting the arrival of the amp, and had placed an order with Omega, which required 4-6 weeks for delivery. I had to cancel that same order. Great disappointment in so many ways.

 

JC

[mourip]

Bummer. I bought an American made 300B tube amp from a fellow in Korea several years ago. I had high hopes but when it arrived the chassis had sagged due to poor packing and very heavy OPTs. 

 

I can heartily recommend the Omegas. I have owned two pair and they really shine in a near field setup. I use Linear Tube Audio(David Berning design) electronics with them and find it to be an end game setup for me.

[RickyV]

7 hours ago, TubeLover said:

Ricky, 

 

Most unfortunately, the wonderful amp I was going to buy was severely damaged in transit. After it was returned to it's previous owner, he contacted me indicating it was a complete loss. That ended this story, sadly. I was awaiting the arrival of the amp, and had placed an order with Omega, which required 4-6 weeks for delivery. I had to cancel that same order. Great disappointment in so many ways.

 

JC

 

Ah, so that why you went earfield. I think it will not disappoint. Still looking for a pre-amp then?

[TubeLover]

4 hours ago, mourip said:

Bummer. I bought an American made 300B tube amp from a fellow in Korea several years ago. I had high hopes but when it arrived the chassis had sagged due to poor packing and very heavy OPTs. 

 

I can heartily recommend the Omegas. I have owned two pair and they really shine in a near field setup. I use Linear Tube Audio(David Berning design) electronics with them and find it to be an end game setup for me.

I can see how the Linear Tube Audio electronics would be great with the Omega's. My friend has the MicroZOTL MZ2 preamp. 

. Nice system you've put together. 

 

JC

[TubeLover]

2 hours ago, RickyV said:

 

Ah, so that why you went earfield. I think it will not disappoint. Still looking for a pre-amp then?

A very kind local audiophile has offered to loan me a high quality preamp from his second system so I can optimally evaluate the RAAL's. They ship out to me today, from California. Can't wait to experience them!

 

JC

[AudioDoctor]

8 hours ago, mourip said:

Bummer. I bought an American made 300B tube amp from a fellow in Korea several years ago. I had high hopes but when it arrived the chassis had sagged due to poor packing and very heavy OPTs. 

 

I can heartily recommend the Omegas. I have owned two pair and they really shine in a near field setup. I use Linear Tube Audio(David Berning design) electronics with them and find it to be an end game setup for me.

 

This is good info for me and a project I have in the works, thanks.

[davide256]

On 2/25/2020 at 12:34 AM, TubeLover said:

I'm honestly, and completely shocked that you found you could even remotely drive Maggie 1.7's with 1 watt. I once tried a 20 watt SET amp with my .7's and it could not even begin to drive them. I then tried a friend's pair of tubed monoblocks that were rated at 60wpc with similarly poor results. They didn't begin to work until I brought in much more powerful amp. 

 

JC

I believe maggies  are current vs voltage sensitive. And it helps a lot  using a JS-2 for the MZ2 power supply. I suspect the SET amps are dynamic on voltage but low on current

generation as I always seem to see them with high efficiency horn speakers.

[Lone Mountain Audio]

The basic trade off of driver design trading low frequency output vs efficiency says that if you found such a super efficient 1.7w power-able speaker, it would have a distinct lack of low end.  

 

If you insist on trying this out, I'd be looking for a fully horn speaker, (a Klipsch?) as my first stop. A Klipsch LaScala?

 

Brad