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October 28, 2014 - 4:06pm
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Efficient speakers for tube amp
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I guess I better rephrase my question. Can anyone recommend another brand of horn speakers similar to Klipsch, for me to look in to as another reasonable option?
At the moment I'm slowly looking through the Klipsch range from the 1970's to 1990's.
So far I'm looking in to the kg3, kg4, and the kg 5.5 as afforable alternatives to the heritage line.
Used Cornwall, Heresy, will more than fit the bill.
Cornwalls would be great if I had that kind of cash going. I was also eyeing the chorus and quartet, they seem pretty fantastic from everything I've read.
At any rate I did some hardcore bargain hunting at the electronics store (you know the one that sounds like a side for your cheeseburger) and ended up with a pair of either clearance or open box klipsch icon kf-26 for roughly 60% off. I hear the icon series isn't exactly a favorite in the audiophile community, but I have a feeling for what I paid these will fit the bill until I can upgrade down the line, and they should keep the value that I paid for them. 97db efficiency and better bass performance than my previous speakers is a nice start for my tube amp.
A couple of years ago I rebuild the system I had when I got out of the Service in 1967. I found an pair of used K-horns in excellent condition and sent to Klipsch for new drivers and crossovers. They were so nice they sent me them gratis with instructions. I am driving them with a pair of retubed and new capacitored Dynaco Mark IIIs and a Dynakit PAS 3 preamp. Sources are a Thorens TD-160 with Shure Type III, a Revox Reel to Reel I have this system in my upstairs living/great room. My more up to date system is down in the Basement listening room.
The Mark IIIs drive the K-horns as loud as you will ever care to play them. Hell all you really need is 20 watts or so. Horns may not be the last word in depth or resolution, but they sure as hell can rock and roll and have a lot of that dynamic range that makes music come alive.
Just a thought.
You are going to need mid 90 db sensitivity for your amp to be able to provide any type of volume for reasonable listening. Again, Horns are the way to go.
The Klipsch RF-52 have 96 db/watt sensitivity, and are reasonably priced.
They are not the best-sounding speakers in the world, but you have really handicapped yourself with that flea-power amplifier. The only speakers that are worth considering are those with that kind of sensitivity, and there only a few choices.
IMO you would be far better off getting an amplifier with considerably more power, which would free you to purchase some much better-sounding speakers.
Looking at an upgrade for my vintage Polk 7's. Driving with a 100 wpc Carver integrated. Really like the classic look of the Forte's in the distressed oak finish. The Forte's are a bit pricey but within my budget. Can anyone comment on the suitability of this choice.
The Forte speakers will work perfectly with your setup.
Just a side-note here, I've had both the Forte and the Heresy II & III speakers and, believe me or not, I sold them after comparing them to my vintage Wharfedale W60E speakers. I was both sad and happy--love the look of the Klipsch's, but, for instance, the Heresy IIIs have a low end of 50Hz, and the W60Es roll off at 25Hz. Yes, the W60Es are anechoic designs, but with my vintage 15W per channel Ampex SET, the sound simply kills. I'd check around the traps for 50-ish, 60-ish vintage speakers with all those fabulous solid hardwood cabinets that are out there. You might be pleasantly surprised.
I have that amp! It’s an amazing value. I would ignore all the comments about horns. The volume is more than enough if you are listening in a room that is not enormous. I tried it with some old Magnovox horn speakers, and they gave off a crazy amount of hum. Paired with KEF bookshelf speakers or Fatman Fatboy speakers, it sounds very good and the hum is almost nonexistent. For tweeter horns, get a push pull class a amp because it will cancel out the hum. 8 inch or so speakers sound great, the musical paradise is a single ended class a amp, so it doesn’t cancel out hum, but it makes up for it with the even order harmonics.
I have that amp! It’s an amazing value. I would ignore all the comments about horns. The volume is more than enough if you are listening in a room that is not enormous. I tried it with some old Magnovox horn speakers, and they gave off a crazy amount of hum. Paired with KEF bookshelf speakers or Fatman Fatboy speakers, it sounds very good and the hum is almost nonexistent. For tweeter horns, get a push pull class a amp because it will cancel out the hum. 8 inch or so speakers sound great, the musical paradise is a single ended class a amp, so it doesn’t cancel out hum, but it makes up for it with the even order harmonics.