Tube Friendly Speakers - Down to 30Hz - $3000?

Tvad, I did some modelling and what you are looking for (89 dB efficient, -3 dB at 30 Hz without significant reinforcement from nearby walls, fairly small footprint) is definitely possible. An 89 dB efficient woofer in a 3 cubic foot enclosure will give you honest extension to 30 Hz.

Note that marketing department claims can and often do wax a bit optimistic, but the basic tradeoffs of box size vs efficiency vs bass extension that the engineers work with are pretty consistent, at least in this quadrant of the galaxy. An overly optimistic claim doesn't mean that the engineering is suspect; only that the marketing department's claims aren't reliable. I can think of a manufacturer who exaggerates bass exension claims by almost a whole octave, yet in my opinion builds some very competitive speakers despite their (imho) questionable marketing approach.

Duke

Tvad, I see you have ruled out the Druids. What didn't you like about them? I know, from previous posts, that you weren't impressed with them at trade shows, but if you can get a listen in a more acoustically friendly place, you may like (love) them. Possible? peace, warren :)

08-27-06: Warrenh
Tvad, I see you have ruled out the Druids. What didn't you like about them?

I don't want to rehash this. Suffice it to say, they are not under consideration. Let's leave it at that.

"Given that the Tyler PD speakers failed the WAF test, can you give us an example of a speaker that would pass, even if it doesn't meet your other requirements?"

The WAF factor is a major consideration, far more important than sensitivity, impedence or output transformers. Mine likes the Living voice Avatars and she grudgingly accepts the Acoustic Zen Adagio's might be OK, but some of the bigger units like the Tyler PD's, forget it. Speaker manufacturers really must get their designs passed by a representative comitte of house proud audiophiles partners

Well there's the trade off. The Avatars have a sensitivty of 94, so may be acceptable to the wonderful world of low watt tube amps. But how do they sound? I'll admit the 300B was incredible on jazz lite music etc, though the Silverline Sonata did have a "bark" in certain fq's of the human voice. Totally unacceptable. And for classical, forget it.

So we come to those power hungry Seas drivers in Tyler's line. But are they so demanding after all? The little 40 watt Jadis drove the LSS's with comanding power and authority. Not only did the human voice have no "bark' in any range, but classical was vivid, full rich, dynamic.
IOW I'm not a believer yet in these low watt amps, as the speaker tecnology is just not there yet.
The Seas IMHO is the finest offering of musical reproduction. Until Seas comes out with a line that can be driver with low watt tubes, I'm staying with what I know is best.
Horn's are totally unacceptable, not only for the WAF, butI also think they are ugly. Horns are not a consideration for me. Forget Fostex.
Even if Seas did come out with a low watt tube friendly driver, most likely I'd not cahnge. The dynamics in their Excel line are to "die for".