Lafayette LR 5555a speaker recommendations

[chalmer31]

Just picked up a Lafayette LR 5555a on the auction site for $140 shipped. After months of AK reading and research on receivers-for-beginners threads, the Lafayette grabbed my eye, so now I'm in. I've downloaded the manual from an AK link, and am hoping to learn well and do right by the gear.

SO - there are loads of speaks of every stripe and age on my local CL. Hoping that Lafayette owners will weigh in with some ideas on what will make best the best showing with my new little beastie. The space is only about 400 s.f., in an "L" shape, so I'd like something less than fridge sized. The speaker budget is about $200 for now.

Thanks in advance. I can't believe how much I've learned from your generous AK knowledge and recommendations already.

 

[ryuuoh]

I would look for 8 ohm, higher efficiency speakers. Lookup the model #s, check specs and reviews.

 

[chalmer31]

Thanks ryuuoh. Glad to know I was interpreting the ohm relationships correctly. Still not exactly clear about what constitutes "high efficiency," but there's more reading to do.

 

[goodolpg]

The bigger Lafayettes (LR-9090 and LR-120DB) have no trouble driving 4 ohm speakers, if the 5555 is rated for 4 ohms then it should safely run ONE pair of 4 ohm speakers. If you plan on using more than 2 speakers 8 ohms as rhuuoh mentioned is wise.
Since you say there are lots of options where you are, maybe consider Cerwin Vegas (usually quite efficient) or Advents to keep the vintage mojo going.

 

[chalmer31]

I'm going to listen to a pair of Frazier Super Midgets tonight. They're a little obscure but the AK Klipsch clan seems to like them quite a bit. 8 ohm, 10 w rms, 16w peak, 89dB efficiency (thank you, vintage sales brochures!). Hope that combo works w/ the 55 wpc ss receiver. For the price, they'll be worth the experiment. Have to start somewhere! Thanks for your advice.

 

[hifiladelfia]

I just picked up a well kept Lafayette LR-3500 as my entry receiver and picked up some Advent Prodigy ii speakers, not sure of age, but they sound very nice with this receiver, especially FM radio. I listen at low volumes (apartment) and the base still kicks with total satisfaction with bass and treb at 12 o'clock... Only spent $50 on CL. Refoamed by seller.

 

[chalmer31]

Thanks hifiladelfia. Nice buy! It sounds like our listening situations are similar - smallish rooms, no need to crank it too much. Right now all of my gear is in boxes because we're about 2/3 of the way through a remodel. It will be so sweet to set it all up in the "new" space!

So far I have picked up the Frazier Super Midgets, a beautiful pair of Bose 301s, and a pair of Dynaco A 25s. The Dynacos need to be re-capped, so I may get together with my local audiophile club and see if I can get some advice for my first foray into the actual work. There's great how-to info on AK but I'm kind of a visual learner, so written instructions are not my best thing. Enjoy your new toys!

 

[hifiladelfia]

Love the look of the super midgets and the dynacos. Great look. Give us an update when you get them hooked up!