High end speakers at low volume

@ghdprentice wrote:

High efficiency does not equal sounds good at low volumes.

Actually, quite often it does lead to an added level of sonic involvement here (of course, whether it sounds good at lower volumes is relative to the specific implementation of the design, as with any speaker), certainly with horn-loaded speakers. Whether that’s due to how horns interact with the medium of air, the nature of them being more directive, a usually (much) larger air radiation area, less inertia build-up of the cones (= less smear), a frequent combination with SET’s, or other, I don’t know, but high efficiency horn-loaded speakers tend to be more "attentive"/more readily ignite at lower volumes vs. low eff. direct radiation speakers, and it’s not because of a low SPL-complimentary "loudness" curve. Rather it seems to be a factor of their inherent sonic nature (dictated by design principle), gear combination, and how they interact with the acoustic environment. Where low eff. direct radiating speakers excel at lower volumes I’d expect it to be for reasons more related to the frequency curve, being a point source and/or other.

Tone controls definitely not part of the equation. You want as pure and high quality signal as possible to excellent sounding speakers.

Depends on the implementation. Actively configured "tone controls" is really just a configurable crossover that’s already there by necessity, usually in the digital domain, so there’s no subtraction of "purity" here.

The lower the noise floor of the system the less volume reqired.

It certainly heightens awareness and overall hearing acuity at lower SPL’s as well as broadening the perceived dynamic range, which is a good thing.

Putting tone controls in the equation raises the noise floor.

Again, depends.

Over the decades, my modest and modestly efficient Epi 100 have never disappointed me at low volumes; they still sound as rich and clear and compelling.  Also, have never needed to use loudness control nor tone controls even. 

Lately, the Klipsch Heresy IV have provided me tremendous pleasure at low volumes... one of their strengths, in my opinion.  They remain dynamic and engaging, again without the use of loudness nor tone controls.

@phusis +1

Mike

@grislybutter 

Strange but you forgot Volti Rival at 100db - their mid level speaker of which I own and chose for it’s neutrality for a flea watt speaker.

@ricco275 

You’ve listed many great sounding speakers. But choosing which sound is better is a personal preference.  Asking us would give you our individual preferences which is no substitute for your personal preference.  I’ve went to several audio shows and stores to demo for my speaker purchase.  Magico and YG resonated with me, but Wilson speakers, of which I demoed many, didn’t rock my boat.  Best to listen for yourself as we can’t tell you what you’ll like

@kennyc 

I listed a 100 high sensitivity speakers (title: "here is a list of high sensitivity speakers". I didn't say these are all the high sensitivity speakers including what kennyc has. So, no, I did not forget anything.