What speaker system for tube amplifier

[alecu7]

Hello,

I have posted this message couple of days ago in the speaker section but I got no reply. Maybe I have some luck in the tube amp section.

I'm building a stereo SE KT88 tube amplifier. The output power will be around 10W/channel.
I would like to know what speakers should I use.
I don't want to spend more than $1000/pair.
I have listen to Paradigm speakers and some of them sound very good but also too expensive.
From what I've been reading in the last 6 months or so I come up with several options:

1. 3 way speaker with very high sensitivity (>95dB). They seam a little more expensive than other options.
2. 2 way speaker with med sensitivity (~89dB). This way I'll loose some low frequency. I don't know how important is this.
3. 3 way speaker with active bass. They are big and expensive.
4. How about this idea? 2 way speaker + 10" or 12" subwoofer for each channel. Similar to option 3 but cheaper. I don't mind to have to boxes stuck one on top of the other.

I think with option 4 I get full range and is not too expensive.
The thing is I didn't see this option anywhere so I guess there is something I'm missing because to me this is ideal.
Could you experts tell me what kind of speakers I could buy for each option? And also could you comment on option 4?


Thank you,
Alex

[Yvesm]

Low cost but surprisingly good system that should match perfectly with your 10 Watter:
Speaker and Subwoofer Projects - Open Baffle Plans for Phillips AD4200 and AD5200 Series - DIY Audio Projects Photo Gallery

Pair of Philips 5200 Alnico Full range speakers Hi Fi - eBay (item 300452941342 end time Aug-11-10 14:15:46 PDT)

I'm not the seller ! ! Just for information . . .

Yves.

[alecu7]

Thank you Yves.
Do you have any suggestions for the finish product? My skills with wood and MDF are not great, not to mention when it comes to calculating crossovers.

Alex

[Yvesm]

I built that in a single day using (precut) 20mm plywood pieces, a jig saw, nails and glue !





And there are no crossovers at all

Yves.

[TheGimp]

Another option is a good set of used speakers.

I'm always looking for original series Klipsch Heresy speakers from the late 70s. I now have two sets, and am quite happy with them. I bought my first set new in 78, but got the second set for only $300 a few years back. I think the early Heresy sound better with tube amps than the later ones (just my opinion).

10W will drive them quite well.

I have driven them with my little 3.5W amp and it can even drive them well, but I don't listen at concert levels any more.

[kstagger]

think high efficiency and a nice flat-ish impedance load.

Horn speakers are an obvious path - perhaps a UREI, JBL, Altec, etc studio monitor. I've gotten plenty of volume with a SEUL EL156 (~20Ws) with a pair of UREI 813As.

Other options are vintage 12" or 15" coaxes in a (Onken/Ultraflex/etc) box. For awhile I ran a pair of Stephens 'Trusonic' 12" coaxes in a big homemade Jensen cabinet. Good sound with only 3Ws of SE 2A3 power.

I've run moderate efficiency KEF Q60s and C-75s with 10-25W amplifiers and they make good volume. Just don't expect head banging volumes.

There is also the Lowther, Supravox, etc fullrange drivers but I can't offer much advice in that region. A good speaker is a rare thing indeed as I've had a love/hate relationship with every one I've ever owned.

[alecu7]

To me the sound is more important than the looks, but then I'm married and that won't fly. The speaker need to blend with the whole furniture . I'm contemplating the KEF Q60, also Paradigm Studio 20 looks interesting too. What would be the minimum efficiency I should look for?

So Yves, according to your speaker I don't need to have 2 or 3 speakers each for different frequency? I didn't know 1 speaker can cover the whole range of frequency (or at least 45Hz - 18kHz).

I guess my idea of having 2way bookshelf on top of an active subwoofer is not that great. I thought by doing that I could cover the whole range of frequencies and I don't need a lot of power for low frequencies.

Now I got to run and buy a few pairs of shoes and some handbags so that my wife will be blinded when I go and get my speakers.

Alex

[Cassiel]

I think Ivesm speakers look great and will blend with any kind of cool furniture. If it doesn't then change your furniture.

[Yvesm]

Originally Posted by alecu7

. . .
So Yves, according to your speaker I don't need to have 2 or 3 speakers each for different frequency? I didn't know 1 speaker can cover the whole range of frequency (or at least 45Hz - 18kHz).

Philips claims for 97dB per Watt at 1 meter, this is quite hi efficiency for cone speakers.
Measured frequency range extends to 10 / 15 Khz, you may want to add a tweeter but they must have comparable sensitivity.
I was pleased by the Fostex FT17h with just a 0.68 µF capacitor in serie.

At lo end, the room itself and the placement plays a big role. In my 30 sqmeter with the baffles in the corners, I don't suffer from bass weakness

I routinely use less than 8 Watts per channel amplifier, this is more than needed to put you out of the house !

Remember, the sound level doubles each time you add 3dB, so 90dB speakers would need more than 32 W per channel amplifier to produce the same level.

It is absolutly necessary that your wife be allowed (encouraged) to use the "sound machine" even when you're not at home to listen the music she likes

Yves.

[Wavebourn]

Originally Posted by alecu7

The speaker need to blend with the whole furniture .

So, use existing furniture to make your speakers.

Open baffle speakers indeed sound very nice; stereo they produce is well blended with the room's acoustic.