SET friendly speakers w/ slam?

I know I would love to hear the Emerald physics speaker. 100dB efficient. 2 15" bass drivers. They have to have some slam.

I have been through several amps with my Silverline Sonata III including Atma-Sphere M-60, VAC Standard 160 Musicbloc, and presently Belles 150A Reference monoblocks. Thus far, the Belles 150A produce by far the most "slam", and I am dubious that a SET amp cold produce slam on these speakers...but I'm open to hearing it, and anyone in Southern California that believes they have the SET amps to do it has an open invitation to come over and give them a try.

The best "slam" I ever had in my system was with a combo of Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE/Moscode 401HR/Lamm LL2 Deluxe.

The Sonata III, while possessing many qualities superior to the VR4 Gen III HSE have yet to equal the slam of the Von Schweikerts.

I do believe subwoofers add bottom to music that somehow gives the perception of filling in the music and giving it more weight throughout, but I also agree that the subwoofer is not responsible for the frequency range that reproduces things that contribute to slam...like a crisp, deep bass drum whomp.

I recall the Zu Audio Definition having great slam, and they can be driven by low powered tubes because they also have built-in subwoofers. These speakers are what made me associate the helpfulness of a subwoofer with a speaker that can be driven with SET amps.

Hey Grant - I'm guessing from his current choice of speakers, that the poster might be considering the more substantially endowed Silveline offerings (Grandeur II, LaFolia II). On my Sonatina's, though I'd give the nod to SS amps I've tried (Odyssey dual mono, BelCanto Ref1000) as far as "slam" is concerned. I'd agree with you that I would not necessarily associate SET as a "slam optimizer". If you're really way into "slam" I'd pick a different delivery of power (push/pull, OTL or SS all would likely be a better choice). But if you are looking for ways to optimize slam with SET (assuming you consider the strengths of that form of amplification as more of a priority) there are certainly some speakers that are better than others at doing just that.

Regarding the Emerald Physics suggestion; I was impressed with those speakers at RMAF, but I thought they required substantial current in spite of their high efficiency. I seem to recall reading from several sources that tubes were not suggested, and if they were used that lateral biamping was recommended. The tube amps they were using at the show were push/pull and pretty punchy. I heard them with the Bel Canto Ref1000 and they sounded great. This is the first I've ever heard anyone suggesting to use SET amps with them.

Oh yes...I also recently tried NuForce Ref9SE V2 and Bel Canto Ref1000 on the Sonata III. The Bel Canto had more "slam", but the NuForce were more refined in the mids and highs.

Looking forward to reading the final SET slamming speaker list.

Research these:
Classic Audio Reproductions. I do know they have a very tube friendly impedance curve, and they are very sensitive (over 100dB).

Ralph Karsten of Atma-Sphere owns a pair.

Research these:
Classic Audio Reproductions. I do know they have a very tube friendly impedance curve, and they are very sensitive (over 100dB).

I think those are the horns Ralph shared the room with at RMAF... If so, very impressive large-scale, huge soundstage with his amps. They certainly have a 'large' physical presence in the room yet they disappear as the source of the sounds.