What component is responsible for dynamics ?

Hi all ! IMHO the speakers for sure , I just went from a 90db speaker with 160 wpc to a 98 db speaker with 4 wpc . The 4 wpc setup blows away the 160 wpc setup as far as dynamics go . Also , we talk about efficiency...what about sensitivity ? (not the same thing ) And no , the noise floor did not increase ...quite the contrary .

Chadeffect, square waves aren't the end all, but certainly are an insight into fidelity. We wouldn't accept the inability of an amplifier to produce a square wave, why would it be any different for a speaker. Some traditional dynamic, electrostatic and even true Walsh omnis speakers can do it, but I've yet hear of a high efficiency speaker that's capable of it. Seems to me that in the effort to gain high efficiency, sacrifices have been made.
I think we sometimes have different priorities, which explains the different audio systems. I would choose correct time, waveform fidelity and lack of coloration over the ability to produce volume levels well over 100 DB for my home. To each his own.

Bradluke0, interesting comments. The 89dB/160 watt combo has a significantly greater max acoustic output than the other combo, but if you listen below 99dB it won't enter into the equation.

Hi unsound,

You seem to be fixated on volume & square wave. I have had many an electrostat & planar. Quads,Apogees,ML, Magnepans & I loved them.

I can assure you that either you have been very unlucky with the horns you have heard, or you are sensitive to something I am less sensitive to. (I had your speaker some years ago too)

I would be glad to play my AG horns for you. The points you mention above I am sure will evaporate away. All you will have is a profound sense of life size, solid musicians playing in front of you, and the most powerful of emotional reactions caused by an organic musical event. I have yet to find another way of reproducing that.

I have come close in few systems over the years, with planars & powerful monoblock amps, but they were monochrome by comparison. The ML CLS2z driven by ARC ref monos was up there, as was a modded MG 3.6r on the same amps, but the Trio has layerng & purity beyond them(partly due to flea power amps). The word is palpable. The stuff you seemed concerned with as a whole are meaningless IMHO or maybe dealt with somehow. Having said all that I have also heard the AG Trio sound terrible too! System & set up are everything...

Bradluke0,
What you describe in your post(Onemug also in an earlier post) is exactly my experience.
I once only had audio systems that were based on higher power amps and moderate efficiency speakers Once introduced to low power amps(high quality) and higher efficient speakers, wow! lower noise floor, much better dynamics(micro and macro) superior inner detail and nuance preservation.

The bigger realization however was the increase in realism and overall naturalness(less hifi character).
It was quite an eye opener I`ll tell you.But as unsound says, to each their own.
Best Regards,