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Author Topic: High Efficiency Speakers  (Read 3790 times)

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Stapsy

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High Efficiency Speakers
« on: April 25, 2013, 01:16:02 AM »
I recently purchased an EC Super 7 and am trying to find some high efficiency speakers (>95db sensitivity) to use with my new toy to supplement my headphone listening.  I know this is predominantly a headphone forum but it seems to me that many of you also have speaker set ups. Ideally I am looking at around the $1000 mark, but could stretch some if it will bring me closer to my ideal setup. Yes I know that the Super 7 will not be perfect for driving speakers.  This is more a secondary function for when I am hanging out with my friends or girlfriend and would like to listen to some tunes. 

What I would like is something with a fairly flat frequency response and accurate tonal balance that is not too picky about placement, sweet spots and other such speaker related issues (so probably no horns?).  Decent imaging, soundstage, and dynamics would also be nice, so I have somewhat ruled out professional monitor speakers based on what I have read about them.  I am willing to sacrifice on resolution, microdetails, and extension as long as the tonal accuracy is good.  When I want these things I will just listen to my headphones and I think they are largely out of the question for speakers at my price range anyway.

Right now I am thinking of something like the Tekton M-Lore or Parker 95, but obviously any other suggestions are welcome!  As always if you think something sucks I would rather hear about it now than after I buy it.
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DaveBSC

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Re: High Efficiency Speakers
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2013, 03:27:16 AM »
The M-lore is a lot of speaker for the money, but it's not my favorite. Definitely the best Tekton speakers are the ones that use the 8" Seas driver, and both of those are near the $1500 range. I've never heard of Parker Audio before.

My suggestion would be an Omega Super 3S or XRS, which are both $995. The S is a short tower, whereas the XRS is kind of a big monitor. Same driver.

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twizzleraddict

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Re: High Efficiency Speakers
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2013, 06:02:12 AM »
Omega Super 3 XRS are a bit bright. Had them for a couple of months before I passed them off to a local audiophile. Used them with a Cary Rocket 88 in Triode mode. Couldn't get them tamed.

Not sure if the Super 7, which is fairly neutral by all accounts I've read thus far, would be a good match.

Interesting to hear other recommendations, maybe single driver speakers (other than Omega). There's a few out there in the sub $1K USD range that may be contenders.
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DaveBSC

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Re: High Efficiency Speakers
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2013, 06:15:24 AM »
Quote from: twizzleraddict on April 25, 2013, 06:02:12 AM
Omega Super 3 XRS are a bit bright. Had them for a couple of months before I passed them off to a local audiophile. Used them with a Cary Rocket 88 in Triode mode. Couldn't get them tamed.

Not sure if the Super 7, which is fairly neutral by all accounts I've read thus far, would be a good match.

Interesting to hear other recommendations, maybe single driver speakers (other than Omega). There's a few out there in the sub $1K USD range that may be contenders.

Interesting. Did they use the RS5 driver that Louis started using September of last year, or the older MQ5 hempcone?
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Hroðulf

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Re: High Efficiency Speakers
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2013, 06:19:32 AM »
Get someone to build you this- http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/JA8008_DTQWT.htm
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If it keeps on ringin', levee's goin' to break..

Stapsy

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Re: High Efficiency Speakers
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2013, 10:31:57 PM »
Thanks for the replies guys.  The Omega 3 series looks promising.  The Super 7 is only putting out 3 watts, so something that was designed with small amplifiers in mind looks to be ideal.  A little bit bright doesn't bother me that much.  I will be setting up the tubes to complement my HD800s.  I am thinking that brighter speakers may provide better synergy with tubes that sound good with my headphones.

I plan on setting them up about 6 feet apart with the listening position being about 6 feet back.  My apartment isn't set up ideally as one of the speakers will be pretty close to a wall/corner.  Hopefully this doesn't affect the sound quality too much, but like I said, this isn't really about getting a super crazy reference speaker rig.  Without being able to test anything in advance I am just trying to find something that I can enjoy for what it is and avoid ending up with the HD700 of speakers.

Hopefully others will also chime in with their suggestions as well  :)p1
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DaveBSC

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Re: High Efficiency Speakers
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2013, 11:03:40 PM »
I would definitely recommend trying the Super 3. According to Louis the new driver is much more balanced and even than previous versions, and there's a definite advantage to running without a crossover with limited power. The Super 3 is fine with as little as 1-2 watts.



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DaveBSC

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Re: High Efficiency Speakers
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2013, 11:09:43 PM »
Quote from: Stapsy on April 25, 2013, 10:31:57 PM
I plan on setting them up about 6 feet apart with the listening position being about 6 feet back.  My apartment isn't set up ideally as one of the speakers will be pretty close to a wall/corner.  Hopefully this doesn't affect the sound quality too much, but like I said, this isn't really about getting a super crazy reference speaker rig.  Without being able to test anything in advance I am just trying to find something that I can enjoy for what it is and avoid ending up with the HD700 of speakers.

Is your room generally rectangular or square, and will you be using the short wall or the long wall?
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Stapsy

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Re: High Efficiency Speakers
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2013, 12:37:41 AM »
Quote from: DaveBSC on April 25, 2013, 11:09:43 PM

Is your room generally rectangular or square, and will you be using the short wall or the long wall?

Haha tough question...the room is probably about 18 by 18 with one corner being taken out by the kitchen area.  The way the doors are setup the speakers will be projecting from a short 9 foot created wall created by the doorway and down the full length of 18 feet.  One speaker would be positioned next to a long wall and the other would be next to an open space.  I can use my microsoft paint skills to draw the layout if you think it would help.  The easiest way to describe it would be a 9 x 18 foot rectangle that is open on one side.

Truthfully I think that the single driver is probably the best option given the amplifier.  The only thing that concerned me was the frequency response of these drivers typically being all over the place or heavily favored towards the mids.  This is why I was looking at something like the Tekton speakers.  That being said, I think they would need more power than 3 watts to really take advantage of the crossover design.  It's not necessarily about volume, because I listen at quite low levels.  Its more that muddy/veiled sensation that I get when I heard orthos out of a portable amp.  For some reason I just felt like they were capable of so much more even though the volume was quite loud.  I don't want my speakers to sound like that as well.
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twizzleraddict

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Re: High Efficiency Speakers
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2013, 05:06:50 AM »
Quote from: DaveBSC on April 25, 2013, 06:15:24 AM
Interesting. Did they use the RS5 driver that Louis started using September of last year, or the older MQ5 hempcone?

Was the older hempcone driver. Hemp Acoustics aren't around anymore, after the guy basically ran away with a bunch of money and didn't deliver on substantial order sizes.  walk the plank2

I haven't heard a recent Omega loudspeaker but I respect the things that it does well at the sizes of some of the smaller models. Louis is definitely one of the good guys in the business and I may look into getting back into his product line, since I have a Firstwatt F1J coming in to drive my HE-6s. Single driver only though so definitely interested in what you ultimately settle with.
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