High efficiency bookshelf speakers

[Early B.]

I'm looking for a pair of highly efficient bookshelf speakers to go with tube gear. My criteria include:

1. less than $500 used in very good condition
2. gotta have some decent bass (around 50 Hz or less)
3. looks are fairly important
4. will consider DIY
5. a good resell value

Any speakers come to mind that fit these criteria?

[Loud & Clear]

Early,

Your profile still indicates your earlier, solid state gear.

[Early B.]

That's my HT system. I have a separate 2-channel setup.

[gatemplin]

I'll throw out some suggestions for you. A popular DIY kit for tube gear is the Adire Audio HE10 http://www.adireaudio.com/TextPages/HE101PageFrameText.htm
They also have the high efficiency HE12 and KIT281. I think they look good but other people probably dont. DIY also has a fairly low resale value.

Another DIY option is full range drivers like those from Fostex and Lowther (expensive).

http://www.lowtherloudspeakers.co.uk/homeindex.html

http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/speaker_comp/line_up_1.shtml

There are also lots of HE vintage speakers from companies like Klipsch, EV, and Altec.

[Early B.]

Thanks, gatemplin.

I think I'll try a DIY full range design using the Fostex FE166E drivers.

[BlueMDPicker]

Early,

Double your budget and buy some SDA SRSs. Of course, you'll be needing a larger bookshelf to hold them :p

They're on the order of 92 db efficient and a 4 ohm nominal load. All of my tube gear drives them very well (35 to 75 wpc). I was never overly impressed with the bass response and extension of the PRs until I drove them with tube amplification - now I am. Plus, you won't have to concern yourself with resale value - you'll never part with them. :cool:

Mike

[hoosier21]

www.decware.com has some nice FR designs, here is one available http://www.decware.com/HDT/hdt.htm

[waylyn5945]

Have you looked at any of the speakers from Definitive Technology (DefTech)?

[Danny Tse]

I highly recommend the Energy Connoisseur C-3, soundstage.com's 2002 Budget Leader Award winner (http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/energy_c3.htm). Here's another
review (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_4/energy-connoisseur-speakers-11-2002.html).

Now that Energy has introduced a new line (the Connoisseur Reference series), the C-3 is now available for less than $500.00/pair. I have seen them as low as $250.00/pair brand-new from authorized dealers.

[madmax]

I'm going to be trying the DecWare HDT's in about 3 to 6 months if you want to wait that long for a review. Actually I've read the HDT's are a great deal and have superior sound with no shout, whatever that means. I'm sold on them without even a listen but that doesn't mean much. Check out this review.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?rspkr&1100567900&read&3&4&

You can build them yourself for about $110 supplies plus $300 for the drivers. (or $168 for drivers if you want to get by cheaper).

madmax

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

:D

This is gonna be fun.

[Zero]

Audio Note AX-Two's...

91 db efficiency... (seems like 93) Killer - ACCURATE... bass. I am considering buying another pair just to have em'.

[marker]

One word I can't believe someone else hasn't already suggested-
Klipsch.

They would go great with tubes with their horns.

[pjdami]

Lot's of great choices here already mentioned. I add one that hasn't been mentioned and is "different" and unique.

Triangle speakers. Titus or the bigger Comete fit your price range and good efficiency. I've heard the Titus on Audio Research tube amp gear and it was very good. A little weak in the bass though; perhaps the Comete would fare better.

Lots of good reviews on audioreview.com and Stereophile Recommended B speakers. Definitely worth a demo if you can listen to them on some tube gear.

http://www.audioshopper.com/audiowaves/TRIANGLE.html

[organ]

Don't really know what the resell value on these would be but you should be able to find them for under $500. Check out the Klipsch RB-35 from their Reference line. At 96db/w/m, they are super efficient. I've got the tower version and they sound fabulous with tubes. The cheaper ones would be the RB-25 and 15. http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=659

Maurice

[steveinaz]

2 93dB @ 1watt efficient choices under $500 (new):

1. Energy C-3
2. Athena AS-B2

[George Grand]

Small to medium sized B & W's. I have a pair of DM-550's here in the house. While they're not likely to displace either the Amazing's or the AR-9's, they are not offensive in the least. I was hitting them pretty good the other day with a Carver M-500t power amp (NAD 1020A pre), they sounded great, went down fairly low, and they're ported, so fairly efficient.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Just wanted to let you guys know Early B is getting Fostex FE166E in a vented enclosure ;) and shouldnt cost much more than 300-350 ;)

[madmax]

Oh no! You are not building them are you?? :D
madmax

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

:D

See thread - Early B: Off Topic

[madmax]

Off Topic? RU getting old or something? Didn't see it.
madmax

[TheReaper]

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25548

[madmax]

OK, I saw that when it first went up but couldn't figure it out. I guess he could call it an "Ampra B". :)

madmax