Sensitivity is by definition the response to an input. The lower the sensitivity the more power required for any given input, the less sensitive the speaker. Since the magic of imaging resides in low level fine detail it stands to reason the low sensitivity speaker is other things being equal at a disadvantage. Other things never are equal, but to the extent they are, there you go.
Thank you for taking the time to explain it. The theory makes sense. The old Spica TC-50 comes to mind as a possible exception. I think they had a sensitivity rating of like 83db, but were well known as sound stage titans.
Not mentioning the room at all, just the loudspeakers, in regards to imaging.
Assuming that imaging and soundstage are both married to the degree to which the loudspeaker can recreate the information captured in the recording and editing?
** I cannot identify that the two are not the same, either??**
As I prefer the term spacial information, it is best conveyed when whatever type of speakers used, inject as little distortion and noise into the voicing of the music played. A presentation, that gets the speakers out of the way of the sound produced.
This would include and not limited to, frequency response, cabinet resonances, driver resonances, breakout response of drivers controlled by the crossover, the electrical noise introduced by the crossover, the noise introduced by the drivers and the materials in their composition. In the case of multi driver designs, crossover points, anti-phase and matching drivers that work harmoniously together. One design in particular is considered an imaging and soundstage champion....and it’s not efficient.
Case in point: Electrostatic panels.
According to J. Gordon Holt’s audio glossary, “imaging is the measure of a system’s ability to float stable and specific phantom images, reproducing the original sizes and locations of the instruments across the soundstage.” J. Gordon’s description of “soundstaging” further elaborates the concept, “The accuracy with which a reproducing system conveys audible information about the size, shape, and acoustical characteristics of the original recording space and the placement of the performers within it.”Source - https://audiophilereview.com/reference-speakers/on-imaging-and-loudspeakers/
And yes I am contradicting something I said earlier in this discussion, that may not have been entirely correct.