Efficient speakers v. less efficient speakers


If driven with the appropriate amplifier(s), meaning a higher powered amplifier for a less efficient speaker and a lower powered amplifier for a more efficent speaker, are there any difference?
rlew
Yes, a big difference. High efficiency means lots of detail and resolution. Just try hooking up a noisy amp to a 100dB sensitive speaker and see what I mean. Inefficient speakers lose lots of musical information in the process.
I agree with both the above posts. High efficiency speakers can sound more dynamic, colorful, and detailed. The result is better impact and realism.
Ditto..these are the differences I hear between my system using 50 wpc and a friends system that uses an amplifier that puts out 800 wpc. His speakers are very inefficient (83dB) with a wicked load. It sounds a little slow by comparison on the same recordings.
What i am trying to get at is:
will inefficent speakers paired with high powered amp. equal to an efficient speaker paired with a lower powered amp. if the ratio db/wpc are constant, in terms of dynaic, detail, etc...
thx.
You cannot compare efficiency alone without considering speaker/cone size and overall design...it is always a compromise.

The question:
If driven with the appropriate amplifier(s), meaning a higher powered amplifier for a less efficient speaker and a lower powered amplifier for a more efficent speaker, are there any difference?

The speaker design is generally what makes the difference.

An inefficient bookshelf speaker with a big amplifier can be comparable to a full size efficient speaker with a small amplifier when played at acceptable sound levels for both the bookshelf speaker and small amp.

A bigger speaker can ultimately go louder with less distortion particularly when pared with a big amplifier.

On the other hand,

An efficient bookshelf speaker, is rarely comparable to a full size efficient speaker.(Bookshelf being roughly up to 6" woofers, and full size being 12" or larger woofers)

In very general terms:

1) big speakers can be efficient, and play loudest with lowest distortion
2) small speakers tend to be inefficient if they have low distortion.
3) efficient small speakers tend to have the highest distortion even if they can play quite loud with a modest amplifier.