Speaker help - advice with new speaker

[Rob11966]

Hi Folks,

Please excuse my intrusion into your forum, I am usually to be found in the 'tube' section.

Let me begin with the disclaimer that I am relatively speaker illiterate. I am currently looking at building a 300b amplifier and I will have to upgrade my speakers which have a relatively low sensitivity but are fine for my PP KT88 and EL34 amps.

I am looking at a sensitivity of at least 95db but higher would be better, maybe 97db.

Can anyone offer advice, I am hoping to keep the cost down to below $3000 (if this is possible) and would prefer an 'off the shelf' speaker as I have my hands full finding time to make amplifiers.

I listen to jazz mainly but also appreciate contemporary rock.

I am particularly interested in Australian suppliers if someone can recommend a dealer - I live in Sydney.

I appreciate that this is a mundane question over here but I am sure that you guys will have all the answrs,

Thanks in advance,

Rob

[AndrewT]

Generally, high sensitivity drivers are made for the PA and similar market.
The sound quality of many of these will be compromised to obtain the highest sensitivity within the manufacturer's budget.
Choose carefully and interpret recommendations wisely.

[Frank Berry]

Klipsch makes some good systems. The F3 is a floorstander that has an efficiency of 97dB and is good down to below 35Hz.
I have a pair and drive them with a 30wpc tube amplifier.
They sound very good and cost about $500us per.
I don't know about availability in Australia.

[tinitus]

300B may not like too much crossover or big "heavy" woofers, you may loose its magic

Allthough GreatPlains Altecs may be just the thing fore you - I imagine they are just perfect fore jazz

[Inductor]

Give a look at the $1000 speakers threads on this forum. And you can choose the most expensive ones (over $1000) or upgrade from there. Also you can ask for postage for flat pack kits from US or wait that some other guys from Australia give you some feedback here (they are all around).

[ttan98]

As you aware I am from Melb., AFAIK I don't any suppliers that supply high effciencies speakers, there must be a few around(Not DIYers) but I strongly suspect most if not all of them >$3,000.

I build my own and they are not expensive < $1,000 a pair and sound very good(to me) as well.

I will direct you to a few sites that will provide kits of very high quality. The owners/designers are proud of their speakers are keen to help you.

Gedlee's new DIY kit >=95db

http://www.gedlee.com/

Wayne from Pi speakers kits >= 95dB

http://www.pispeakers.com/

talk to them you will find something that will fit your requirements.

happy hunting.

[tinitus]

Originally posted by tinitus
300B may not like too much crossover or big "heavy" woofers, you may loose its magic

Allthough GreatPlains Altecs may be just the thing fore you - I imagine they are just perfect fore jazz

Sure would like a comment on this one



http://www.greatplainsaudio.com/2_way.html


Ultimate speaker fore "flea" tubeamps ?

[AndrewT]

Originally posted by tinitus
300B may not like too much crossover or big "heavy" woofers........


Sure would like a comment on this one

I don't hear a problem.
Just ensure the output impedance of the amplifier is accounted for in the design of the crossover and in the targetted damping of the bass alignment.

[Rob11966]

Thanks for the replies so far folks,

Ttan, the Pi speakers in particular look quite good. Has anyone had any experience dealing with this company?

Rob

[ttan98]

Originally posted by Rob11966
Thanks for the replies so far folks,

Ttan, the Pi speakers in particular look quite good. Has anyone had any experience dealing with this company?

Rob

go to this forum:

http://audioroundtable.com/

under high eff. speakers, ask around you will get some responses from users.

or go his forum in the same website.

cheers.