Interesting question because it puts two legitimate concepts in opposition. One is the view that the less you mess with the signal, the better the sound. Therefore, simple, well-designed amps are “best.” And those are going to tend to be low power. You could argue that means high-sensitivity speakers must follow, so you’ve got the perfect pairing. Except speaker sound is totally subjective (“it’s all in your head!”), and the variations in speakers are vast compared to electronics. After decades of close listening, what if you learn you prefer a low-sensitivity speaker, like Magnepan in my case? Then I say you find the electronics to drive it and just enjoy it.
What is your take on high efficient speakers vs. low efficient speakers?
Consider both designs are done right and your other equipment is well matched with the speakers. Do you have any preference when it comes to sound quality? Is it matter of economic decision when it comes to price? - power amps can become very expensive when power goes up, on the other hand large, efficient speakers are expensive as well. Is your decision based on room size? I'd love to hear from you on the subject.
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Pure logic and experience clearly confirms this. Stubborn dogma isn’t persuasive or necessary. Choose what works and sounds best to you and pursue to the best of your ability. Your approach is the opposite of mine. Does not matter, we both have found what individually suits best.👍 Charles
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You can get "absolutely sound" with SET. For example, 300B SET and ~95dB sensitivity 15" JBL or Tannoy in medium size room. If 300B SET build properly you can get enough dynamic headroom for any kind of music. From small jazz to symphonic music and rock. The problem is - 99% of SET amplifiers designed and built for Lowther like speakers. |
@mijostyn wrote:
And it ain’t the toast. No, SET’s for when they make sense; with high to very high sensitivity speakers to take advantage of the less than 1 watt where the distortion levels found in these amps are extremely low here, just like with the speakers they’re feeding that efficiently turns electrical power into acoustic energy. Think about the power that’s wasted as heat with low sensitivity, passively driven dynamic speakers, not to mention the poor cone/diaphragm to air coupling - waste upon waste, really. It’s all about the most efficient transfer, and lastly from the speakers to the ears and how to "capture" the acoustic ditto here, which is also a reason why I’ve never dug heavy absorption - it potentially makes matters worse energy-wise:
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