Best Speakers for small, 2 channel, tube setup (but inexpensive)

I was going to suggest Mackie HR 824's, but they come with their own amp attached. They can be had in the $800 range pre/owned (Used only once). For a 2-channel music only system (In My Opinion) they can't be touched.

http://www.mackie.com/products/hr824/

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MACHR824

Try E-Bay for pre/owned.

Look into the totem line.

Why not check into the Ref1/SP-3 combo for $1199 for the speakers and a nice tube intergrated amp check it out at: www.**********

Klipsch. Horns and tubes are a match made in heaven. Hang out on the tube forums and you'll find a lot of horn users. Hang out on the Klipsch forum and you'll find a lot of tube owners. Your tube amp will love the efficiency (most smaller bookshelf speakers are very inefficient). Look at the RB-61's which have the new, smoother horn design. Match them with a tube amp and you'll find bliss.

I have the ONIX REF1's with tubes in my 2 channel rig. AV123 is blowing out all existing inventory right now due to an up coming move into a brand new facility. You can DEFINITELY fit a wonderful bookshelf speaker (especially paired with tubes) into your budget at these prices.

LINK

With a tube amp?

They're not bookshelves, but they are extremely small... a handcrafted product with absolutely stellar audio quality when used with low-powered tube gear, especially SET.

The Horn Shoppe "The Horn" Model 1. http://www.thehornshoppe.com It's a full range single-driver, folded horn loudspeaker. Note that there is no crossover... these are as fast as electrostatics without the dipole drawbacks. They don't break up under high output either... they've been measured at over 116db in-room.

The web site sucks but the speakers rock. Check out the reviews linked from the site above.

Here's their forum on AudioCircle... worth a read.
http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?board=25.0

I would also get the Ref1/SP-3 combo. In fact, I have tried to figure out a justification to get one myself, even though I already have more speakers than I need for my media room and living room.

Opinions around here are like belly buttons, here is another one.

Easy to get to in your price range used, meets your criteria, tried and true: LS/35a

Harrypt, the Onix Ref 1 is AV123's version of the LS/35a.

Based on what, similar size? Different cabinet build, ported, different drivers, don't see how this is their version. That is like saying a Cadillac is the same as a Porsche because they both have the same number of tires. Ref 1's are more dynamic, Rogers, and the like are richer, warmer. They sound nothing alike and based in the little bit the OP says about his tastes, I thought the LS3/5a might be a good thing to try.

Gini has a kit available but I don't know how much it is.

Paradigms come up a lot, and I heard the Silverline Audio Minuet atHES which blew me away for some very small speakers. Maybe smaller than you need.

Just a comment on Klipsch horns:

I previewed a couple of bookshelf Klipsch speakers ($600-$800 range), hooked up to Macintosh tube preamp and amp. I used CDs I'm familiar with, classical (orchestral, vocal) and jazz.

There are definite and, to me, audible resonance points -- certain frequencies pop out more than others and have a (to me) harsh or metallic quality.

Then again, my setup is an original Luxman duo-beta 75-watt amp with two Merlin 1 speakers . . .

I'm not sure what to suggest in a bookshelf system. If you could find an old pair of JansZen electrostatic bookshelf speakers, you might be surprised at the smoothness of the sound.

There's also a guy in our area who specializes in this and could give some input. His place is called The Analog Store and he has a website.

Good luck!

BINGO! I have this setup in my bedroom and it is a marvelous music making machine. The Ref 1s can be had for as low as $500 used. I saw a pair on the av123forum.com classifieds yesterday for $450 that I nearly bought just for the price. They are gorgeously finished speakers that look even better without the speaker covers, are very well reviewed all over the internet audio mags, and with the savings you can add a sub to the mix - something from which any bookshelf speaker will benefit.

The Ref 1s are fantastic - get'm used!

Triangle Titans!!

Newer Klipsch box speakers are very different than the classic Klipschorns.

SET with single, full-range driver speakers can sound really nice. You might want to do pair of speakers yourself...

A nice vintage box speaker is the Spica TC-50 or TC-60. Their clarity and imaging sound really nice, too. But, they are so old now, finding a pair in good condition can be somewhat of a challenge. Again if you're handy, you can build your own Spica "replicas".

I would find local owners or stores and see if you can borrow or listen to various pairs before making a quick $$$ decision.

- Steve O.

Old thread that I'd like to ressurrect. As I'm in the same boat.... small apartment... asymmetrical living room.

I'm looking for nice bookshelf to small mid-tower speakers under $1000 that sound excellent powered by tubes...

I second the notion about Totem. They do sound quite good with tubes, back when I was into tubes, not sure about today's Totems.

IMO, speakers are the components that really make a sound difference. If you are into tubes then the LS3/5A, regardless of brand (Roger, Harbeth, Spendor) must be considered.

Totem Rainmakers