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High efficiency speakers around $500

post #1 of 29
Thread Starter 
Looking for a pair of speakers for my Trends Audio TA-10 T-amp, which outputs 2x15W. From what I've been reading high efficiency speakers are generally at the $2k price point, but I was just wondering if anybody knew of some around the much more modest $500 price point! Say, at least 90dB or higher...
post #2 of 29
post #3 of 29
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by derekbmn View Post


Those look neat - do you have any experience with them?
post #4 of 29
Nope none at all . But have been thinking about getting some for myself. The Designer/Owner of the company is a former employee of ZU. I have read nothing but good things about his speakers but have not heard them for myself. I can't help but think they would sound great ,being a single driver/Fostex based design.
post #5 of 29
Thread Starter 
Hmm I see. My only concern would be the bass output, but then again I like my bass tight and focused. I am now wondering if I should be looking at the full range or monitor designs. Guess I'll shoot him an email.
post #6 of 29
Thread Starter 
Hmm apparently the Klipsch F2s mentioned in the 6moons trends t-amp review are widely available at Best Buys for $265 each. Guess I'll take a look there tomorrow.
post #7 of 29
Omega Mini - Medalloins, they are not listed but they still make them on special order they say, about 400 for the pair at about 96 db.

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/i...?topic=39544.0

http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/
post #8 of 29
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by slwiser View Post
Omega Mini - Medalloins, they are not listed but they still make them on special order they say, about 400 for the pair at about 96 db.

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/i...?topic=39544.0

http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/
Those look neat as well, just the right size.

I just pulled the trigger on the Klipsch F-2's at Best Buy, seeing as the price was only because of the 2 day memorial sale. Figure I can always return them, which I probably will seeing how big they are. But it'll be worth it to see what a pair of floorstanders sound like..
post #9 of 29
Quote:
Originally Posted by daggerlee View Post
Those look neat as well, just the right size.

I just pulled the trigger on the Klipsch F-2's at Best Buy, seeing as the price was only because of the 2 day memorial sale. Figure I can always return them, which I probably will seeing how big they are. But it'll be worth it to see what a pair of floorstanders sound like..
I think you made the right choice. With 15 watts, you don't really need high sensitivity speakers, you just need average (or medium) sensitivity speakers. This may seem counter-intuitive, but without an active high-pass crossover, you won't even gain any loudness advantage by choosing high sensitivity speakers. This is because high sensitivity drivers typically have very low excursion (Xmax) and if they're ported for bass, you'll push them to their volume limits with relatively little power. 15 watts is enough to push many conventional speakers louder with less distortion.

Also, the harsh reality is that there aren't any truly good high sensitivity speakers, especially if decent bass is important to you. For instance, I'm not aware of any manufacturer of single driver speakers who currently uses baffle step compensation. They don't do it because it pushes efficiency down by 3dB, but not including it makes the speaker sound thin on the low end. Omega tries to get around this by making their front baffles wide (which is positive, at least they try to do something), but it's hardly a fully solution. Similarly, most single driver speaker vendors do not correct for the peak in midrange response that comes with the territory. There are a handful of expensive Fostex drivers where this is less of a problem, but not in the price range you're looking at for finished speakers. I'm serious about this, not trying to make a denigrating comment... if you want to get an idea of how most high efficiency speakers sound, listen to a pair of first generation iPod stock earbuds. These are single driver designs with a similar frequency response to most high-efficiency and single-driver speakers. Some people love this sound, but unless you really want it, it's better to stick to conventional designs.
post #10 of 29
Another vote for Klipsch!
post #11 of 29
Thread Starter 
Brought back the Klipsch's, gave em a listen with classical and jazzish music - no rock since it's late at night. Very liquid, syrupy - I can definitely hear what the 6moons audio review was talking about. Can't wait to run some rock through them tomorrow.
post #12 of 29
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wodgy View Post
I think you made the right choice. With 15 watts, you don't really need high sensitivity speakers, you just need average (or medium) sensitivity speakers. This may seem counter-intuitive, but without an active high-pass crossover, you won't even gain any loudness advantage by choosing high sensitivity speakers. This is because high sensitivity drivers typically have very low excursion (Xmax) and if they're ported for bass, you'll push them to their volume limits with relatively little power. 15 watts is enough to push many conventional speakers louder with less distortion.

Also, the harsh reality is that there aren't any truly good high sensitivity speakers, especially if decent bass is important to you. For instance, I'm not aware of any manufacturer of single driver speakers who currently uses baffle step compensation. They don't do it because it pushes efficiency down by 3dB, but not including it makes the speaker sound thin on the low end. Omega tries to get around this by making their front baffles wide (which is positive, at least they try to do something), but it's hardly a fully solution. Similarly, most single driver speaker vendors do not correct for the peak in midrange response that comes with the territory. There are a handful of expensive Fostex drivers where this is less of a problem, but not in the price range you're looking at for finished speakers. I'm serious about this, not trying to make a denigrating comment... if you want to get an idea of how most high efficiency speakers sound, listen to a pair of first generation iPod stock earbuds. These are single driver designs with a similar frequency response to most high-efficiency and single-driver speakers. Some people love this sound, but unless you really want it, it's better to stick to conventional designs.
Intersting, thanks for the info Wodgy. Less bass might not necessarily be a bad thing, as I am a fan of the AKG/Ety house sound. I might order a pair of single driver speakers just for kicks, who knows.
post #13 of 29
i had 94dB efficient vintage speaker and the T-amp farted the bass lines. the clipping was really bad, and in reality the T-amp only outputs 5W for an 8ohm load. be wary of manufacterer power ratings. it makes more sense to buy an amp based on your speaker selection IMHO.
post #14 of 29
The Trends TA-10 is based on the ta2024 chipset and puts out about 15w/ch, not 5, like the si t-amp.
post #15 of 29
Quote:
Originally Posted by daggerlee View Post
Intersting, thanks for the info Wodgy. Less bass might not necessarily be a bad thing, as I am a fan of the AKG/Ety house sound. I might order a pair of single driver speakers just for kicks, who knows.
If that's the sound you like, you should try stuffing the ports of the Klipsch speakers with rolled up socks. This will change the bass rolloff to be a little earlier (giving a leaner sound) but extend a little deeper. It will also improve the bass group delay, which will make the bass sound tighter and faster (though perception of bass group delay is a subjective thing). This also helps with small rooms. In any case, it's an tweak that doesn't cost anything and is worth experimenting with.
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