Been thinking for a while about changing my speakers - and finally finishing my upgrade. Good job I put it off maybe as house move intervened so now have a bigger room.
My Audion Sterling EL34 Integrated is a relatively low powered (12 watts / 8 ohms) Class A valve amp. Web site for which says 89db or better efficiency.
Current speakers are Rega R3 (c.2002) which I only now spot are 6 ohm but they are 89db sensitivity (or was that efficiency?..). They have done me proud I'd say but would be nice to see what raising the bar can do.
Head scratching starts when thinking about impedance, efficiency (or sensitivity?..) and speaker power requirements. Then of course there's the thorny issue of 'aesthetics'...
Am not sure whether I can consider speakers of other impedances or more generally what characteristics I should consider given the nature of this amp.
Am always keen to get a deal and have seen a few ex-demo offerings which appear very tempting. As an example, have seem some Audio Physic Sitara 25.
These are 89db speakers but 4 ohms. The (distant) dealer assures me that say compared to some 4 ohm Sonus Fabers (a definite no-no according to him) the Sitaras would be compatible. (He tested both of them out with a similar spec amp btw).
My budget is in the order of £2K at time of writing (although as usual would prefer to spend less). All my other upgrade bits were bought used so thought I *might* buy new for a change. Would mean I can choose the finish etc. Of course if anyone has anything suitable going spare am more than happy to consider.
New room size btw is 20' x 14' (ceiling height 10'). The speakers are positioned either side of the chimney breast to 'fire' across the room.
Ta very much for your thoughts.
My Audion Sterling EL34 Integrated is a relatively low powered (12 watts / 8 ohms) Class A valve amp. Web site for which says 89db or better efficiency.
Current speakers are Rega R3 (c.2002) which I only now spot are 6 ohm but they are 89db sensitivity (or was that efficiency?..). They have done me proud I'd say but would be nice to see what raising the bar can do.
Head scratching starts when thinking about impedance, efficiency (or sensitivity?..) and speaker power requirements. Then of course there's the thorny issue of 'aesthetics'...
Am not sure whether I can consider speakers of other impedances or more generally what characteristics I should consider given the nature of this amp.
Am always keen to get a deal and have seen a few ex-demo offerings which appear very tempting. As an example, have seem some Audio Physic Sitara 25.
These are 89db speakers but 4 ohms. The (distant) dealer assures me that say compared to some 4 ohm Sonus Fabers (a definite no-no according to him) the Sitaras would be compatible. (He tested both of them out with a similar spec amp btw).
My budget is in the order of £2K at time of writing (although as usual would prefer to spend less). All my other upgrade bits were bought used so thought I *might* buy new for a change. Would mean I can choose the finish etc. Of course if anyone has anything suitable going spare am more than happy to consider.
New room size btw is 20' x 14' (ceiling height 10'). The speakers are positioned either side of the chimney breast to 'fire' across the room.
Ta very much for your thoughts.