Super efficient small speakers?

[joekapahulu]

Borrowed a friends low power tube amp with option to buy. Looking for suggestions on small super efficient speakers, monitor sized, 90db sensitivity, new or used. Maybe single full range driver units. Heard some Halfords recently, pretty impressed. Any all suggestions appreciated.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Infinity RS-325, punch way above their weight class. I've had three pair go through here, I really want a pair but keep gifting them to family lol. Don't let the 65hz low end keep you away, these little speaks really rock with plenty of bass.

Frequency Response: 65Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB)
Crossover Frequency: 3.3kHz
Sensitivity: 92dB (2.83 volts/1 meter)
Nominal Impedance: Compatible with 8 ohms
Power Rating: 20 - 150 watts/RMS into 6 ohms
Woofer: 6.5" IMG
Tweeter: 0.75" ferrofluid-cooled Polycell

 

[Harvestor]

200SE Cerwin Vega

 

[F1nut]

Viking Acoustics Berlin R Mk-II, sensitivity 97dB.

 

[slimecity]

You could build your own box with Fostex fullrange drivers - great sound and great sensitivity. My Fe206's are 96dB

 

[joekapahulu]

You could build your own box with Fostex fullrange drivers - great sound and great sensitivity. My Fe206's are 96dB

I've thought about full range drivers. The Halfords were that type and sounded good. I would probably look for a kit as I could do simple assembly, i.e. Gluing, staining and screwing. I don't have the equipment to do anything more complex involving sawing, jigs, etc. The Fostex sites I have found sell you drivers and plans nothing more finished.

 

[slimecity]

I've thought about full range drivers.

Fullrange in an open baffle - cant get much simpler than that - you would need to reinforce the bottom end with something however, like a sub

 

[whoaru99]

Define small (yes, I did see "monitor sized", but not sure what size that constrains one to).

 

[E-Stat]

As has been said many times before, pick two from the following list: size, efficiency, bass response.

 

[Justgotohm]

Martin Logan LX-16’s are 92db and sound fantastic to me.

 

[Cosmos]

In the realm of efficiencies.. 90db is not that efficient. Actually, I'd suggest setting your sights on 95db or better and maybe, maybe dropping down to 93db, my opinion FWIW.. Small size and efficiency are extremely difficult to deliver if you want any level of deep bass..

Cerwin Vega certainly can claim some high efficiency. Not sure what your size limits are?

 

[yuman]

If you can find a pair used...Tekton 6.5 Full range...really amazing speakers. Genuine 93db spl... 8 ohm...55Hz 3 db. Great with low power tubes or 100 wpc solid state amp.

 

[tarior]

Hoffman's Iron Law.

 

[joekapahulu]

I can always use a sub if need be. I have one in the closet I have never used after buying it off Ebay. Thanks for the responses so far. I will keep a lookout for what I can find. I was going to try a kit fro Parts Express but the freight was higher than the kits itself and their "free freight" deal didnt apply to Hawaii. Unlike others, they wouldnt even give me the credit for the cost to say LA or San Diego and I pay the difference. I probably wont buy anything there.

 

[malden]

I can always use a sub if need be. I have one in the closet I have never used after buying it off Ebay. Thanks for the responses so far. I will keep a lookout for what I can find. I was going to try a kit fro Parts Express but the freight was higher than the kits itself and their "free freight" deal didnt apply to Hawaii. Unlike others, they wouldnt even give me the credit for the cost to say LA or San Diego and I pay the difference. I probably wont buy anything there.

There's a pair of Klipsch Heresey's on craigslist near Honolulu, 250.00 is a great price

 

[tom67]

Those Halford speakers you mentioned are pretty interesting ...and not that expensive and some have nice wood veneers. I never came across them before..........https://www.halfordloudspeakers.com/hi-fi-showroom

 

[kirk57]

Laws of physics kind of preclude 'small' and 'efficient' in the same box, unless you compromise bass response.
You can tailor the response to sound like low bass (ala LS3/5a) but it isn't, really.

Would you consider a powered subwoofer to do that part?

 

[Grenadeslio]

Definitive Technology Monitor 350 isn't super sensitive at 90db, but it's really small and reaches down to 26hz. I would really like to get my hands on a pair of these.

 

[musichal]

Is this for stand-mount, or bookshelf, or are you looking for small near-field speakers that, for example, sit on a desk you use?

For near-field, I like the idea of a small full-range single-driver, too.

 

[Rybeam]

I have been blown away by a little pair of Bowers and Wilkins DM 302 I got used for $50. I could actual live with these without a sub-woofer ! They are from the late 1990's. I bought them based on the following review:

https://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/542/index.html