In need high-efficency speakers

Al,
When I had the Consonance C100 (rebadged Hegel H1) 120wpc we found turning volume to 11oclock was necessary at time w/ certain movies/tv for full enjoyment.
With the Mystere I've had volume to 11:00/1:00 position and find it can be too quiet at times particularly w movies and dialogue. An irritation and quieter than we like. Music generally is fine as we don't play it as loud. I'm afraid to turn it up further, as there is a bit of hardening to the sound at 12:00. The 7:00-10:00 position seems to be the sweat spot w/ music.
I have some cheap Klipsch 3.1 94db efficiency monitors with a more prominent midrange and can get a respectable volume at the 11:00 o'clock position, hence the search for more efficient speakers.

...there is a bit of hardening to the sound at 12:00.

Thanks for the additional info, Mjcmt.

Roughly speaking, a typical single-turn rotary volume control such as the one on your Mystere will provide around 22 db or so of attenuation at the 12 o’clock position. Your Yamaha Blu-Ray/CD/SACD player has a maximum output that is nominally spec’d at 2 volts. The approximately 8 db of gain provided by the amp at the 12 o’clock setting (30 db max gain - 22 db of attenuation by the volume control) will boost a 2 volt input to about a 5 volt output.

5 volts into what I suspect is the 4 ohm impedance of your speakers corresponds at most to 6.25 watts, and to less than that to the extent the speaker’s impedance is not purely resistive.

So as I see it you are not turning the volume control up high enough to utilize most of the power capability of the amp. However I have no thoughts as to why the sound is hardening at higher settings of the control.

Regards,
-- Al

P.S:  I see that you also have a FiiO D-3 DAC.  Its maximum output rating is 1.6 volts, which is only about 2 db less than that of the Yamaha.  So what I said in my previous post with respect to the Yamaha is essentially applicable to the FiiO D-3 as well.

Regards,
-- Al

Recently purchased Heresy IIIs and a Coincident Dynamo 34SE mkii 8 Watt SEP amp.  Being driven by a Mytek Brooklyn DAC/preamp. Formerly had Audio Research gear and Focal Electra 1007BE standmounts. Totally gobsmacked about the resolution and dynamic range of these speakers. They have a reputation of being a party speaker, but to me they sound great listening to all genres at low volumes in my 12x14 foot den.  They can be placed close to the rear wall, have a cool retro look and are unobtrusive in the room as Wolf points out. His posts and system had a lot of influence on my decision. 
Have you considered buying used? Not sure how much improvements were made with the IIIs, but would think you could pick up some IIs for less than $1000/pr. 
Best regards, 
Dave

Where the volume control is pointing has NOTHING AT ALL to do with power. It is relative to gain. Turn it up.