Seeking a high efficient, full range speaker

[Lautreamont]

Dear everyone


I'm in the midst of choosing my next speaker system. I can't wait to upgrade from entry-level Audio Note which I have liked quite a lot. I like their natural representation of music. Unfortunately it seems that doing a significant upgrade with Audio Note also means prices that reach astronomical heights. It's possible that I will end up doing that, but I'm still trying to find other speakers that fit my system.

I will be using a single ended triode amplifier from Japan (Yamamoto Sound Craft) using the VT-52 tube (3W per channel). I will use Audio Antiquary preamplifier and Abbas Audio RIAA. I love the natural sound. I seek an intimate and emotionally captivating listening experience with body, depth and perspective. I appreciate details and a natural realism to the soundscape. I dislike neutral, transparent, punchy sound without body. It seems that a lot of full range speakers can do this. It's quite interesting because I do not know that much about hifi, but I've played music since I ever can remember and I have been going to endless concerts in various halls around the world. It seems to me that a lot of speaker systems that are presented at shows have nothing to do with live sound. It's quite amusing. Anyway, I still find that there are brands that enshrine old values. I prefer a simple design rather than loads of technology.

Somehow this leads me to a few conclusions:
- I need a high efficient speaker system.
- I should go for full range speaker.
- It can be horn driven.
- It can be alnico or even field coils.

Speakers that I have auditioned that are worth mentioning are:
- Audio Note AN-E SPe/HE (98,5 dB).
- Swissonor B.A.C.H. 12 d coaxial, coplanar speaker with Tractix horn (97 dB).
- Klispch La Scala (105 dB)
- Jordan Watts DIY speakers (failed due to inefficiency)

Speakers that I will audition soon:
- Ocellia Caliope 21.
- Western Acoustics Type 1 (not sure how and the information about these speakers are sparse).


Please. I would be delighted to hear your thoughts, experiences and reflections about this. Perhaps you have some recommendations.

PS: I really like the thread "Natural Sound" in here. I share same values as the thread starter.

 

[PeterA]

Interesting post. I appreciate the reference to my system thread. It sounds like we share the same values regarding a listening experience at home. I suggest you seek out a dealer who has knowledge and experience with efficient speaker systems. I would not overlook vintage speakers. I think you have an exciting project ahead of you. Good luck and I look forward to reading about your progress.

 

[Lautreamont]

Dear Peter

Thank you for your motivating response.

I'm in contact with my local Audio Note dealer and another dealer. The latter showed med Swissonor which I really liked and he also had other exciting things (Roger Modjeski amplifier, OTL amps, vintage Tannoy etc.).

I'm not a 100% sure with Swissonor. I'm also wondering if it's better to invest more money in let's say alnico or field coil now instead of purchasing something and then in 5 years going for another upgrade.

I would have loved to try Shindo Lafite Field Coils as well but it's rather problematic or "impossible".

Do you have any recommendations?

 

[zerostargeneral]

Tobian Soundsystems FH18 Full Range Horn speakers (9502605913) | Gebrauchtgerät | Standlautsprecher | Angebot auf audio-markt.de

Angeboten wird „FH18 Full Range Horn speakers“ von Tobian Soundsystems als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Standlautsprecher“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 9502605913 endet am 06.05.2025 um 13:13 Uhr.

www.audio-markt.de

 

[PeterA]

Hello Lautreamont,

I do not have any specific recommendations. Just try to hear a lot of speakers and include some classic vintage horns if you are able.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Bastanis Mandala Duo 102 dB(1 horntweeter and 2x12 wideband )with 18" active ripol bass

MANDALA — PEACENIK

MANDALA EXPRESSIVE SOUND. DYNAMIC IMPACT.

www.peacenikaudio.com

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

You're more than welcome to visit me in Stockholm to explore Tobian (horns) and Wolf von Langa (field coil) which both comes highly recommended.

Tobian - Perfect sense

Schweiziska Tobian Sound Systems tillverkar handbyggda hornbaserade högtalare och rörbaserad elektronik av allra högsta klass.

perfect-sense.se

Wolf von Langa - Perfect sense

Wolf von Langa Wolf von Langa är en erfaren Europeisk aktör med spets, där de helt egenutvecklade Field Coil elementen utgör hjärtat i

perfect-sense.se

 

[Lautreamont]

Dear Hyperion

Thank you very much.

I will soon travel to Malmö to audition Ocellia and Audio Antiquary amplifiers.

Tobian and Wolf Von Langa seems quite exquisite and also a bit expensive. The speakers have to be at least 96 dB.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Hi there,

Yes, Tobian especially are exclusive - but also extraordinary.

WFL SON is 200k SEK (94dB).

/ Marcus

 

[Robh3606]

As a different perspective you should give a modern CD type horn system a listen. Also don't understand why you are limiting to Alnico or Field coils? There is nothing wrong with Neo and Ferrite.

Rob

 

[AudioLibertarian]

Instead of the "flee-watt" tube amplification and ultra high sensitive horn design, I suggest you try to audition the Dynamikks! Aton 10Dc speakers from Germany plus the new Ensemble Audio Fuoco Sondoro series integrated amplifier. This combo should sound fantastic, and you ll be able to play any types of music very effortlessly. Also, Klinger Favre Studio 30 are highly efficient and very natural sounding, from France, sold direct, but worth seeking out, not that far from you in Europe. I can add the Ensemble Audio Ondiva (Alnico version only) speakers to the list as well. Very life like, especially for classical, jazz, soul. Add a pair of properly integrated subwoofers to the Ensemble Ondivas (not a must, if your listetning room is not very large, up to 40 sq meters I would say) and you will have the "absolute sound" type "natural" sound.

Horning Euprodite PM65 from your native Denmark.

 

[cloudhead]

I auditioned many horn speakers at some point when I was looking for exactly what you're looking for. Only with a 3W amp, speakers like the Devore O/96 are out of the question I would say, otherwise that would be my pick.

At higher efficiencies there is one company I've listened to that makes beautiful sounding speakers, it's Blumenhofer Acoustics. Their Gioia range is at 100dB sensitivity. I've heard their smaller models and they are really excellent and natural sounding with a huge sound stage and more of a forward/live presentation, but in the 94-98dB range.

Are you open to higher-powered SET amps in the 10-20W range?

 

[yoder]

I don't have experience with horn speakers, but Daedalus speakers match your description both in primary design goals and my experiences. While I have pushed even their lower, 96 dB versions easily with a couple watts, running on a few watts would depend on your room and listening habits.

Very natural, live sound. Designer/builder focuses on getting tone of voices and instruments right and lets the rest follow. Also a musician and started in pro audio, which informs his design choices and house sound. If you're going used they're going to be difficult to find in Europe, but they do exist there. Worth a listen in my opinion if you ever run across them.

 

[Paul1960]

I don't believe you stated your budget and I think you must be in Europe so this recommendation might not apply, but the Songer Audio field coil speakers that I have heard are exceptional. Efficiency tends to be around 93-94 dB and in the past he has usually shown them with low power 2A3 amps. Prices seem high to me ($40-60K) and previous models aren't quite what I would describe as a full range speaker but on "audiophile" material like Jennifer Warnes, Diana Krall or Melody Gardot they are very hard to beat. I saw an announcement that he has just developed a new high end speaker that incorporates a Ripole sub that might fix those shortcomings. God only knows how much that will cost. Voxativ also just announced a high end product with a Ripole woofer that might be more appealing if you are in Europe.

At the other end of the spectrum, I recently picked up a pair of 1979 Klipsch La Scalas in very good condition with upgraded crossovers for $2600 and they can be had for less in worse cosmetic condition. I will be replacing the midrange driver and the tweeter horn/driver for a total cost of $900. I bought these to use with my Aric Audio Super 300B SET amp in a second system. The La Scalas are far from perfect speakers and they don't perform equally well across all genres of music. But they are very dynamic, have exceptional transients and attack, and have surprisingly good imaging and soundstage. They sound immediate and live with a terrific midrange and a fun sound. They also sound big in a positive way although they aren't as enveloping and involving as better panel speakers. I have been very pleased with them for the price and they are working quite well in a room that has been the death of many other types of speakers. They aren't what I would call an audiophile speaker but for what they are I like them a lot.

 

[godofwealth]

I own one of the high efficiency systems on your list (Klipsch La Scala), which I like, but if you are seeking "natural sound", I am not sure the La Scala or indeed any horn system will fully deliver the goods. The best natural sound speakers are fairly inefficient. On this list, I would include electrostatic loudspeakers (I have several in my house, ranging from the small Quad ESL 57 to the giant Sound Lab G9-7c). I would also include the Harbeth/Spendor BBC line of speakers. These are all relatively low efficiency, but designed mostly to reproduce sound like an original instrument in a real natural acoustic space, not a pop concert.

High efficiency speakers have many virtues, including an almost unlimited sense of dynamics. But the tradeoff is the midrange, which is usually not very good. Much as I like my La Scalas, its midrange is no comparison to any of my electrostatics or my Harbeth Monitor 40.1.

As in everything else in life, there is no free lunch. You give up something in return for something else.

 

[lok]

You can try Cube Audio full-range speakers.
They don't have a crossover. 3W should drive them easily. I listened to them with a 2A3 tube amp and had no problems.

Simply the best fullrange drivers and loudspeakers

We are a manufacturer of unique and one of most advanced fullrange speakers in the world. Superb sound that redefines fullrange drivers is finally available speakers in the world. Superb sound that redefines fullrange drivers is finally available for you.

www.cubeaudio.eu

 

[morricab]

Dear everyone


I'm in the midst of choosing my next speaker system. I can't wait to upgrade from entry-level Audio Note which I have liked quite a lot. I like their natural representation of music. Unfortunately it seems that doing a significant upgrade with Audio Note also means prices that reach astronomical heights. It's possible that I will end up doing that, but I'm still trying to find other speakers that fit my system.

I will be using a single ended triode amplifier from Japan (Yamamoto Sound Craft) using the VT-52 tube (3W per channel). I will use Audio Antiquary preamplifier and Abbas Audio RIAA. I love the natural sound. I seek an intimate and emotionally captivating listening experience with body, depth and perspective. I appreciate details and a natural realism to the soundscape. I dislike neutral, transparent, punchy sound without body. It seems that a lot of full range speakers can do this. It's quite interesting because I do not know that much about hifi, but I've played music since I ever can remember and I have been going to endless concerts in various halls around the world. It seems to me that a lot of speaker systems that are presented at shows have nothing to do with live sound. It's quite amusing. Anyway, I still find that there are brands that enshrine old values. I prefer a simple design rather than loads of technology.

Somehow this leads me to a few conclusions:
- I need a high efficient speaker system.
- I should go for full range speaker.
- It can be horn driven.
- It can be alnico or even field coils.

Speakers that I have auditioned that are worth mentioning are:
- Audio Note AN-E SPe/HE (98,5 dB).
- Swissonor B.A.C.H. 12 d coaxial, coplanar speaker with Tractix horn (97 dB).
- Klispch La Scala (105 dB)
- Jordan Watts DIY speakers (failed due to inefficiency)

Speakers that I will audition soon:
- Ocellia Caliope 21.
- Western Acoustics Type 1 (not sure how and the information about these speakers are sparse).


Please. I would be delighted to hear your thoughts, experiences and reflections about this. Perhaps you have some recommendations.

PS: I really like the thread "Natural Sound" in here. I share same values as the thread starter.

Horning Eufrodite Ellipse and speakers from Odeon and Avantgarde are worth looking at as well. My Eufrodite Ellipses are 98dB and work great with as little as 3.5 watts. My Odeons work well with 8 watts and up.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

If you can 'Lautreamont', try and have a listen to the very nice Living Voice Auditorium series and the Living Voice R80 series (if you need a bigger speaker than the Auditorium). Designed and hand built in the UK (Nottinghamshire). They have been specifically designed (by Kevin Scott of Definitive Audio) to be paired with tube amplification, in particular SJS Acoustica 300B SETs !

Note:- I am not affiliated with Definitive Audio or Living Voice in any way. Just a big fan of theirs.....with a hope that one day when I can finally retire I may be able to buy some Living Voice Speakers with accompanying SJS Acoustica electronics and spend my remaining days on this little planet listening to wonderful sounding music.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Bastanis Wildhorn dipole horndriver 1", 12" floor loaded basshorn( wideband 30hz to 6khz no xover) 100db/1watt runs really good with 2a3or el 84 set amps.

 

[Hear Here]

Have you considered Avantgarde Mezzo or Duo GT? At 107 dB they need very little power.

However, why upgrade your AN (presumably Japanese and not British) amps at vast cost when you could buy the fully-active version of one of these speakers? Their iTron amplification system requires only a low-level input. It may go against the grain to reconsider amplification without vacuum tubes but surely worth a listen?