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In need high-efficency speakers

I recently purchased a preowned Mystere IA-11 40 watt tube integrated amp to replace a 120 wpc SS amp. Overall it has a very satisfying sound with plenty of detail, dynamics and a tight bass for a tube amp.

The problem is the combination of our large town-home living/dining room combo with my 87db DIY Seas Froy Mk3 speaker, powered by the 40 watt amp means it can’t play loud, especially a problem with movies or TV specials.

I was hoping to change to the Zu Audio Omen Mk2 or Klipsch Heresy III high-efficency speakers. My wife and I agree it is unwise to spend that kind of money with our current finances. The Zu Dirty Weekend would be a cheaper option, but the Klipsch would look better in our living room.

So I’m looking for solid advice on what to do from this audiophile community.

Here is a link to my ’Virtual System’ if that will help.
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7252

Thanks all,
Mike
128x128mjcmt
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt OP
479 posts
 
Al and David_ten,
There is nothing wrong w/ the amp and tubes have little hours on them according to Echo Hi-Fi. My speakers are great too. The sound is lovely w/ music. I think the imagined hardening is greater dynamics in a lively living room w/o any rugs or sound treatment. We like to crank it more w/ movies and for tv specials through the lower output dac. That’s simply it. I never turned it up past 1:00 for fear of damage to amp or speakers, but tonight will try turning it up more as mentioned here when we watch a tv special. I’ve tried higher efficient 94db Klipsch ksb3.1 bookshelf speakers and the added volume is a welcome plus.
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david_ten
2,509 posts
 
@mjcmt   Thanks and understood. 
almarg's avatar
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
The difference between 6 watts and 40 watts is about 8 db.  Roughly speaking, for a rotary volume control an 8 db change typically corresponds to about 60 or 70 degrees of rotation (aside from settings near the bottom of the control's range, where volume changes occur more rapidly).

So I would expect that you should be able to get to at least the 2 o'clock position without driving the amp into clipping.  And in any event I would expect that you would hear obvious distortion well before any damage would occur to either the speakers or the amp.

Good luck.  Regards,
-- Al 
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,165 posts
 
@ elevick, I am assuming you have heard every horn loudspeaker? 
I respectfully disagree with you on that way out there statement. lol
I do however agree with you though that  Zu were harsh on my ears also.
Tekton's IMHO do not have anywhere near the musicality that in my case my Klipschorns have. These comments are based solely on audio shows, so perhaps not the most ideal listening situation. Probably.
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veroman
291 posts
 
tekton. at 94 db you will be fine.
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