Floor Standing Speakers with 94-96dB+ Sensitivity

Any floor standing speakers out there with 94-96dB efficiency that cost under $1K and, of course, sound good? Used is ok too. Most bookshelf speakers are 86-88dB I guess due to smaller & single mid-bass speaker. I wanted Wharfedale Diamond 225 speakers, but not willing to dump my tube amplifier for a higher power tube amplifier.

I have not liked Klipsch in the past due to the 'biting' treble from the horn and they are rated about 3dB higher than actual performance per what I read anyways.

 

Lore Reference

Mini Lore

 

I am sure you will have to look at the second hand market.

 

No problem, just do not know what to look for on used market.

 

Omega, Zu, Tekton, Decware (some models) are are all pretty efficient. There's 2 models of Omega's the Super 3i and Super 7 MK 2 that can be bought new for under $1000. You can also pick up some floor standers every once in w while for under $1000 on the used market.

 

I just picked up these used Omega's for a second system. Omega Super 3 XRS (94.5 dB @ 8 ohms), $465, plus $100 shipping. Keep your eye on the second hand market, Omegas are a great speaker in the range your looking at. Since they are highly efficient, they can be driven by a Chord DAC (DAVE is what I use) for ultimate resolution. I will supplement with a REL T5i subwoofer (great synergy with Omega's), just bought new/package damaged on Amazon for $458 plus tax. Will be a sweet summer home setup.
Echo Audio | Omega Super 3 XRS
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014I45MCY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Focal fits what you ask for. In all cases you need to hear the speaker and not judge on sensitivity.

 

Several or all Klipsch.

 

Own and like Zu Omen Dirty Weekend / II. Full range plus super tweeter. Bass to 35 Hz, 97 dB efficient (specs). $999/pair new with warranty. Free delivery, 60 days trial period, paid return shipping.

 

legacy audio.

 

If you mean full-range speakers, that is pretty efficient. I take it you have a pretty low wattage amp? Check out Vandersteen and Golden Ear. I am not sure, but they may have some efficient speakers that you can find used in your price range. I think Golden Ear has some entry level speakers that you can buy new for $1000.

 

Speaker specifications are pretty much useless due to varying measurement techniques + exaggeration/lies. Sensitivity is one of those specs, not merely a Klipsch problem but also Zu and others IIRC. However, those are still more sensitive than average. Dang, I was just reading about something actually measured at 94 dB by the reviewer, drivers made by PHL, I'll try and remember what it was. High sensitivity is not exclusively but mostly a DIY thing, sometimes involving horns, since to have high sensitivity and bass requires huge cabinets that most people won't buy [Google "Hoffman's Iron Law"]

I highly doubt Focal makes anything THAT sensitive, though maybe more sensitive than most.* But your post does beg the question to the OP "why do you want so sensitive"? (In my case, I would like to get more sensitivity to play louder without changing amps, plus the really high output drivers tend to be PA style and high sensitivity).

*As one data point, Focal specs Sopra #3 as 91.5 dB/2.83V/1m. Stereophile measured 89.2 dB, but the impedance suggests this is really 4 ohm speaker and should be driven by 2.0 volts = 1 watt, meaning the sensitivity would be 86.2 dB 1 watt/1 meter. And all these numbers can be affected by measurement environment and technique.

 

For $1k, nothing will beat the Koss CM/1030 (96 dB SPL).

That will include the purchase price of a pair in very good to great condition (excellent cabinets / cosmetics, all drivers working / not visibly damaged) and a full professional refurbishment (crossover resistors and probably caps, switches) to like-new condition. (Damaged / non-working drivers will be a problem / will increase the cost.)

Allow $300 for the purchase and $700 for the refurb - with some possible swings either way on both.

Assumes no shipping - either for the purchase or the refurb.

Contact me at [email protected] if you go that route and need help. I've helped literally hundreds of old, new, and about-to-be-new Koss CM owners over the years.

In the many years I've been raising the awareness in these fantastic American-made speakers, more and more people have decided to hold on to them, refurbish them, and not let go of them. As a result it is getting harder and harder to find any non-junkers / frankenspeakers available to buy. But they do come up occasionally. Koss only made 700 pairs (of which I own six pairs).

An alternative is the almost-as-good Koss CM/1020 (95 dB/SPL).

Jeff

ps. That offer of help goes for anyone else reading this post.

 

They do look pretty scary...

 

Positively frightening.

 

My house is rather busy with furniture book shelves, bar, etc.. I have two spaces left about 11-1/2" wide. The Koss are huge.

 

Sorry. Your OP listed efficiency, cost, floor standing, and sound quality as the characteristics needed - space was not one of them.

Koss CM/1030's dimensions are 16 1/2" (w) x 14 1/2" (d) x 38 7/8" (h), and weigh 74 lbs each.

Personally I'd get rid of furniture in order to accommodate them - but that's just me.

Jeff

 

Thanks Jeff.

 

BIC America - Top Rated Since 1973

And only about $200 each from Amazon and sound fantastic.

 

As mentioned already: Zu and Tekton are great options

 

I love your enthusiasm.

 

Snell EII are a bit lower efficiency than you specified but an easy load, and well worth checking out. I take it you're not using a SET so you'll probably be fine for power. The Snell original K is also a really magical speaker. Just make sure they're in decent condition.

 

Had a pair of BIC floor standers back in the day. They rocked the house!

 

I ended up with Silverlines when I was looking for efficient speakers. I found them by being in the right place at the right time.
Otherwise, I would have never known about them.

Sonatina II's. But I hear the Sonata's are even better.

 

I had a pair.


They could fill a room with some pretty good sound.

An awesome college party speaker paired to a Kenwood KA-9100. Good sound/good times.