Is this speaker a good choice for Tube amps

[brucetassin]

Is this JBL speaker a good choice for a tube amp?

FRYS.com | JBL

Thanks

 

[rongon]

FWIW, from an online review:

"The ES80 presents a nominal 8 ohm load with a 91dB efficiency. The speaker proved to be a tougher load than the specs would indicate and needed good-quality power to open up properly, not excelling with entry-level power sources. Better-quality power sources improved things significantly."

That does not bode well for use with low power tube amps, especially those amps with no global NFB to reduce the amp's output resistance.

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[Evenharmonics]

Bruce, there are many good choices out there. What's your budget?

 

[Davec113]

I'd consider other options. How much $$ do you have to spend?

 

[planet10]

...The speaker proved to be a tougher load than the specs would indicate and needed good-quality power to open up properly

A statement that can usually be paraphrased to, this speaker has an ugly impedance curve.... not something you want with a typical tube amp.

dave

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Depends on the tube amp of course, some it will suit, some it won't.
Some tube amps due output impedance don't suit multiways at all.

rgds, sreten.

 

[tomchr]

I'm pretty happy with my KRK R6 speakers on my 300B SET amp. I paid $240 total including shipping for the speakers.

Studio monitors is where it's at in my opinion. Incredible bang for the buck. And specs... What a concept. My KRKs are flat from about 50~60 Hz up past 15 kHz. I think at 20 kHz they're a few (2~3) dB down. Like most speaker with a passive XO, they do have a slight harshness around the crossover frequency due to cone breakup. I run mine biamped with an active XO. That takes care of the harshness...

~Tom