Marten Design Coltrane vs Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy

Just to clarify I am not a horn guy.

This seriously limits your choice of spkrs.
Adding on to Team212's list & David's AN recommend'n:
Zu
Klipsch (Horn / Scala)
JBL (vintage)

OTOH, I am not sure about the AN driving Tannoy Canterbury. I listened to this combo and, while "nice" the sound of the whole was unconvincing given the stellar specs of the parts...

IMO you definitely need a product that offers at least ~100dB / 1 watt / 1 m or better AND definitely need to try it out. That is at least half the fun, btw!

After all, a 100dB spkr will give you ~88dB at listening position for 1 watt (assuming you're listening at 12 ft away); you'll run out of steam soon over 94dB. And this is for a nonexistent, series resistance /totally flat impedance speaker! While this is plenty loud, remember that 30dB dynamics are very common in music... which brings you down to 94-30= ~64dB

Marten altered the Marten Coltrane in 2009 to a higher impedance bass system including new bass drivers and new bass crossover. This was specifically for tube amplifier users. Now the impedance is 6 ohm (4.8 ohms min, with bass-adjust in normal). The original Stereophile Coltrane reviews used the 1st generation Coltranes. These are epic speakers and definately keepers.

Avantgarde speakers work very well with Audio Note. A 2nd hand pair of UNOs
should be within your budget.

Thank you very much folks for this input. Just to clarify I am not a horn guy. Will take seriously all suggestions.

What is wrong with the Audio Note speakers? They look a bit 1970's and need to be in a corner ideally, but they make a wonderful, musical sound with no edge to it. With the range of crossover upgrades, there is a speaker for most pockets.

I also agree that Tannoy would be a great choice too.

Nola KO should be considered as well but you're not likely to find them second hand - at least not for awhile.

Oh Dear

--8W's-well it can be a dilemma for speaker choice.
You'll have I feel to negate the ones you mention and consider more efficient possibilities.You'd probably get away with it if you only played Lute music--But I fear you do not-ha!

How long is a piece string?--you could start with investigating

Tannoys--but NOT the newer "cheapos"

Retherm

Tonian labs

Ocellia

Trenner & Freidhl

Teresonic

TuneAudio

Good Luck,

Des

Von Schweikert dB99. There was a pair listed here for $6400. Not mine because I can't see parting with them. Good luck.

Sure - I understand your concern but the paper specs don't always translate to a sonic mis-match. Just food for thought.

Thank you for your fast reply.
SEATTLEHIFI - I've got your recommendations and I will consider. A bit doubtful about matching the sensitivity of both models you suggest (87 dB) with tube 8 watter???
TEAM 212 - As far as I understand both Coltranes and Wilsons are not spectacular with AN. Do you have anything better to suggest?

Verity Rienzi (current model,$10K new) & Vandersteen Quatro Wood with optional crossovers (current model, $12K new). Both of which we have in stock, pre-owned but in mint condition, at or slightly above your price range. Even if we didn't happen to have them, I would still make the recommendations.

Marten Coltrane I would think would run more than $6K used and if you are looking to spend more then I would add the Verity Parsifal Ovation & Vandersteen 5a to the list. Early Watt Puppies are not in the same league, in my opinion, as Coltrane, Parsifal Ovation, or Vandy 5a.

Duhhh ?---

AN amps will not have the drive for the Wilsons--but the Coltranes are a huge price differential but will be OK--not great with the AN Amps but passable ( I heard the Audio Fed Demo room at RMAF) and I felt the sound was soft lacking in punch.

When you mention lower numbered Wilsons-3s/2s/5/s-well thats worse as they have horrendous swings--to 1/2 ohms in the critical regions.

I would not put Wilsons with AN Amps

Des