Why Hardly Any High Efficient Bookshelf Speakers?

Efficiency is determined by the size of the speaker driver and the size and design of the enclosure. True efficiency is a balanced frequency response from at least 50Hz on up. Generally, this means that most 8" drivers will produce 50Hz at approximately 90db at one watt in a bass reflex cabinet. A 10" will do 93db at one watt and a 12" about 96db at one watt. A horn loaded speaker will produce more bass but the cabinet will be quite large.

Therefore, if a bookshelf speaker with a driver less than 8" has a published efficiency rating above 92db, it will most likely have a rising midrange and sound bright and tinny.

Klipsch makes rather efficient bookshelf speakers.

Look at the Galante Audio Rhapsody. It's not "smaller than a breadbox" but it is not as big as a horn system. Bass supposed ly to 50 hz, but I've not heard them; I have the larger version, the Symphony, which is 12 inch (98 db), rather than the Rhapsody's 8 inch (95 db). These do go pretty low (maybe 40) and sound great with a 2A3 amp in a "live" room. Brian Galante himself answers the phone, so service is first rate. Both models are occasionally for sale here on A'gon, which is how I got mine. They have a website: galanteaudio (all one word)

The Upper 2/3 of Edgarhorn Titan system could be considered bookshelf-sized, practically. That would leave finding room for the 80hz or so bass unit(s) somewhere else in the room. Efficiency would be in the 105+ range at least. To get that small and that efficient likely requires either compression driver(s) or Lowther/Fostex type single driver speakers, but you give up bass.

-Ed

Thanks so much for the quick and informative response. I imagined this is the kind of question that gets asked often and I appreciate you guys helping me out. Take care.