Efficient speakers

[Listener666]

Hi........long time no post..............

Starting to get back into my music and after buying a valve phono stage i am thinking of digging out my 3.5 watt 2A3 monoblocks and valve pre.

I would need to get some new speakers to match as the Audio Note AN-E's have long gone. With a house move I am limited to space (each side of the fire place....about 12 - 15 inches behind)....... so....any very small floor standers or bookshelf speakers anyone can suggest.

I thought about Klipsch as they are rated at 94 - 96ish+db....but have been told these figures are in room.......plus I can't find any impedance curves....

any suggestions appreciated.....thanks

[anubisgrau]

i've heard current klipsch models in several incarnations and i've always thought they deliver more than they cost, both small stand mounts as well as bigger floor stands.
they were always paired with the most horrible amps and front ends, still managing to maintain a decent level of reproduction
i think the key is exactly an efficiency so they don't put amps into difficult modes plus a nice waveguide on the tweeter.
i would expect they sound at least decent if paired with the tube amps. i've always believed these are total underdogs on the market.

[Firebottle]

Hi Jonny,

Might be a bit steep on price but how about these:
http://www.horns.pl/fp10.html

I've heard the FP15 and they are amazing.

:) Alan

[Ninanina]

Hi Jonny
I have Klipsch Heresy II's and they are very easy to drive. I currently use an Audio Note amp of about 10w but I did run another pair with an amp of 1.5w and that's plenty for them, so your 3.5w amp will be quite happy driving them

The Heresy isn't too big either and you can just pop them on the floor, although a little riser to raise the front a little does help.. ;)

[Listener666]

Thanks for the replies

Yes Heresy's look the best bet but I only want to spend around £400 - £500............all the used ones appear to be in the USA.

I could stretch a little more.........(I could sell my kef refs which have about 100hours and have been boxed for 3 years!:stalks:)

Anyone tried the Klipsch RF 42 or RB61 (or the new rp150 or rp250) with a low power SET amp?

[struth]

Someone here bought a set of Klipsch speak recently ..might have been the 51's and was impressed... There are a few new ones on the bay; 51 and 61, going at reasonable money, so if they are not suitable sure you would resell without losing much

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAIR-SPEAKERS-KLIPSCH-RB61MkII-RB61-MKII-MK2-BRAND-NEW-WARRANTY-PAIR-CHERRY-/231558715258?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35e9f9977a

[Ninanina]

Sorry the only other Klipsch I've heard were a rather lovely pair of La Scalas a pair of KG 3's and a pair of KG 4.5's... they were all very good and all very easy to drive

I have just purchased a pair of Tannoy System 800's which my amp drives fine but I don't know if 3.5w would be enough for them, they quote about 92dB. The Tannoy's have been a real eye opener, I love them but I've yet to swap back to my Heresy's to see which I prefer...;)

[Listener666]

Someone here bought a set of Klipsch speak recently ..might have been the 51's and was impressed... There are a few new ones on the bay; 51 and 61, going at reasonable money, so if they are not suitable sure you would resell without losing much

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PAIR-SPEAKERS-KLIPSCH-RB61MkII-RB61-MKII-MK2-BRAND-NEW-WARRANTY-PAIR-CHERRY-/231558715258?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35e9f9977a

Yes .......................might be worth a punt.

[Ninanina]

Hi Jonny

Are these any good to you?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/klipsch-4-2-/371318714284?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item567451efac

They are rated at about 95 dB

Here is the link to the Klipsch page:

http://www.klipsch.com/kg-4-2/details

[southall-1998]

I'd love to hear the Heresy III. Are they easy to set up etc?

S.

[Reffc]

Impulse speakers might be worth a shout too. The problem you'll have with any pistonic speaker of any size will be damping factor. Most 2A3 amps really struggle to control the bass frequencies, so a smaller driver'd horn design might be the better bet for these?

[hoopsontoast]

I used some Heresey IIs (IIRC) with a 1.5wpc Decware Zen, it was a good match power wise but I could not get them to work in my room, on the floor, in the corner, on stands. Every time I had bass issues, also they are VERY coloured in the midrange.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7434/9936187504_cba8d3c783_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/g92ynE)
Klipsch Heresy II (https://flic.kr/p/g92ynE) by Robert Seymour (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hoopsontoast/), on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7438/9921411834_becc4ba240_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/g7HQ5J)
Klipsch Heresy II (https://flic.kr/p/g7HQ5J) by Robert Seymour (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hoopsontoast/), on Flickr

[walpurgis]

A pair of these in horn cabinets will sort you out. Lovely units with fabulous sound quality and enormous punch! There's a pair in cabinets on eBay Germany. 102 db/w should do the trick.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CORAL-BETA-10-NOS-L-K-/301610024286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46395bbd5e

[southall-1998]

Bargain :rolleyes:

S.

[Ninanina]

Rob the 1.5wpc Decware Zen is exactly the amp I used with my first pair of Heresy's... I've never had a problem with mine though

[Listener666]

A pair of these in horn cabinets will sort you out. Lovely units with fabulous sound quality and enormous punch! There's a pair in cabinets on eBay Germany. 102 db/w should do the trick.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CORAL-BETA-10-NOS-L-K-/301610024286?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46395bbd5e

Hahah...............i could save a few quid and make my own cabinets to house them.............

[walpurgis]

Hahah...............i could save a few quid and make my own cabinets to house them.............

That's what I did many years ago:

http://i62.tinypic.com/16m7v4z.jpg

These were nearly finished when I took the photo.

[Ninanina]

The only speaker I have ever made, well myself and Colin actually, were a pair of Voigt Pipes...using Fostex drivers

I think these are the plans I used:
http://www.diale.org/voigt.html

They looked a bit like these once finished although I think I placed the driver a bit higher up in the enclosure..
http://www.volous.cz/fotogalerie/category/15-voigt-pipe

I can't find a picture of my ones at the moment...

In fact if you want an efficient speaker they will do fine, I believe they were about 96 dB.. I can't remember which Fostex driver I used but I seem to remember it was the FE206... This is probably the cheapest and easiest enclosure to make which is also efficient ;)

[Ninanina]

Hi Jonny

Are these any good to you?.. they seem very good value for a floorstander..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Klipsch-RF-82-II-Floorstanding-Speaker-cherry-PAIR-NEW-/201357672852?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ee1da4194

Klipsch are quoting 98 dB for them
http://www.klipsch.com/rf-82-ii-floorstanding-speaker

[andrasszamek]

if you liked the AN Es you should consider the Js as well.

[technobear]

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?38896-FS-Fostex-206E-in-Fostex-208-Sigma-Back-Loaded-Horn-cabinet ;)

[Ninanina]

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?38896-FS-Fostex-206E-in-Fostex-208-Sigma-Back-Loaded-Horn-cabinet ;)

They are a bargain.....

[Phil Lawton]

I bought a pair of the Klipsch RF52 ii last month - can't recommend them highly enough, Johnny.

[Ninanina]

I bought a pair of the Klipsch RF52 ii last month - can't recommend them highly enough, Johnny.

Nice to see someone else liking Klipsch speakers.. ;)

[Listener666]

I bought a pair of the Klipsch RF52 ii last month - can't recommend them highly enough, Johnny.

Oooh that sounds good. Do you drive them with a low power amp....as I want to try my 3.5 watt set amps.

My room is only 16 x 12ft and I don't want to be swamped by bass.....do you think the RF52's are well controlled? I would prob go for the 42's

I can't decide to whether to hang on for a pair of used Heresey, or even looking at econowave DIY.....I like the look of the Crites.....but with import costs it becomes a little silly.

thanks
JJ

[Macca]

According to the spec they are 96dB efficient. So you might get away with a couple of watts unless you want high levels in a big room.

http://www.klipsch.com/rf-52-ii-floorstanding-speaker/details

[walpurgis]

If you're a bit handy and don't mind building some cabinets, have a look for a pair of vintage Philips 9710M drive units. They sound amazing and are 94db sensitivity. My 4 watt 6V6 valve amp drives them just fine.

Or a pair of these: http://www.onecaudio.com/lcao_eng.html

[Dauntless]

This is quite an interesting thread and it got me looking at Klipsh speakers in detail. The good news is that the more affordable Klipsh are now available in the UK through Home Cinema retailers. Hi - Fi dealers only seem interested in selling the top end Klipsh and the Heresy is much cheaper Stateside. I was looking at the reviews of the affordable Klipsh which are mostly on US sites. The Floorstanders RF52, RF62 and 82 all are extensively reviewed on US sites and seem to be used in HomeCinema systems in the main. Their standmount RB-81II on the other hand seem very popular with American Audiophiles, many using Valve amps and claiming very good results in their reviews. This model is available for around £500 a pair here and according to our friends over the water a very good match for low powered amps. Good efficiency and lower bass response than a Heresy. I've fancied a pair of efficient speakers for some time and these Klipsh are affordable!

[Listener666]

This is quite an interesting thread and it got me looking at Klipsh speakers in detail. The good news is that the more affordable Klipsh are now available in the UK through Home Cinema retailers. Hi - Fi dealers only seem interested in selling the top end Klipsh and the Heresy is much cheaper Stateside. I was looking at the reviews of the affordable Klipsh which are mostly on US sites. The Floorstanders RF52, RF62 and 82 all are extensively reviewed on US sites and seem to be used in HomeCinema systems in the main. Their standmount RB-81II on the other hand seem very popular with American Audiophiles, many using Valve amps and claiming very good results in their reviews. This model is available for around £500 a pair here and according to our friends over the water a very good match for low powered amps. Good efficiency and lower bass response than a Heresy. I've fancied a pair of efficient speakers for some time and these Klipsh are affordable!

Yes they appear to be quite efficient........the problem is ....i think.....those measurements are "in room".....most manufacturers quote anachoic....which I think:rolleyes:... would make about 3db difference...quite a lot when you have 3.5watts to play with....

Hopefully someone can correct me....

I read a review on the RB81 that said they were a bit.......... erm ....heavy in the bass.

I would like to hear from someone who has used them with a low powered amp really....i may have to post on one of the U.S. forums....better sort out my riot shield and battle kit.

Those econowave diy jobs look interesting but theres so many variations.......

[Phil Lawton]

Oooh that sounds good. Do you drive them with a low power amp....as I want to try my 3.5 watt set amps.

My room is only 16 x 12ft and I don't want to be swamped by bass.....do you think the RF52's are well controlled? I would prob go for the 42's

I can't decide to whether to hang on for a pair of used Heresey, or even looking at econowave DIY.....I like the look of the Crites.....but with import costs it becomes a little silly.

thanks
JJ

No idea about low-powered amps, but I don't see why not. I'm pushing them with a Marantz PM6005

Mine live in a room about the same size...no issues with the bass. I was wary about the top end after reading misgivings expressed by other people, but I've found them to be well-controlled across the board.