How to accurately gauge speaker sensitivity to match with tube amp?


I'm in the process of matching speakers to my amplifier and need a bit of advice. Most recently, I'm trying Focal 936 towers with my Quicksilver Mono 60w amp. They were sounding pretty decent until I experimented by hooking up my old Adcom 535L amp. All of a sudden, there was a giant jump in control, tautness in the bass, quickness in transients. The QS stuff was doing quite decently, but the Adcom really snapped these towers to attention. The mids and high ends, not to mention the soundstage, were worse with the Adcom — no question. But there was quite a difference with the other qualities just mentioned.

My question becomes one of sensitivity. The Focals self-rated as 92 db. Stereophile rated them as 89.5db. I realize that these are average measurements and a much bigger picture is told by the impedance graph (and other factors).

As I continue to search for the right match of speaker (I have a couple contenders), I'm sure one piece of advice is to look for speakers with higher sensitivity averages. But what else should I look for to help make a guesstimate about whether the amp will drive the speakers with the kind of control they are capable of? [Specs for this amp are here: http://quicksilveraudio.com/products/sixty-watt-mono-amp/ ]

I realize I need to hear speakers, in my house, with my gear, etc. to get a sense of them. I’m working in exactly this way. Your advice can help me eliminate candidate speakers that would pose similar challenges to my amp as these Focals have.

And I just bought the amp, so I don't want to change it.

Thank you for any thoughts. 

P.S. Anyone who has has had great success with this amp or similar, please shout it out.


128x128hilde45
Hi Audite, I’ve done some tube rolling. I have KT88s in my Monos. Not sure why a tube roll would change the fundamentals, here. 
The measurements of your Focals show an intersection of a negative phase angle trace and the impedance trace at 4ohms.  This is a legit challenge to amplifiers despite their sensitivity (measured at 89.5db).
To get the best, most linear and dynamic sound the amplifier should have high rated output at 4ohms as well as a robust capacitor store because the current requirements of your speakers will be demanding.  
Check the Rogue Audio Stereo 100, a very robust tube amp that has a dual mono layout, decent power at 4 ohms (use the 4-ohm taps)  and a seriously robust capacitor store.  I have one and it drives my large Harbeths very well in terms of dynamics and power output.  It will take good care of your Focals and would be a synergistic match.  
Hi David, I think you made a great purchase in the Quicksilver Monos. Having the ability to listen to different speakers in your own room helps tremendously in the quest for audio knowledge. This was (is) a great thread.

The Focal speakers are for the most part better served by a SS amp. This is due to their impedance at lower frequencies. The Arcam amplifier is no match against the Quicksilvers at higher frequencies. 
Hilde, driver tubes (12AX7 in your case if I’m not wrong) have more influence on the sound than power tubes (KT88). But as I said, I am not familiar with your amp and don’t know how it responds to tube rolling. Tubes do have their own sound signature. 
I have the Quickie mid monos that are currently tucked away in a cabinet for back up duty.I always liked the bass that to me sounded full and natural as opposed to tight and punchy.Adding a couple of subs gave me the best of both worlds.They did well with my Tekton monitors.If I were to go for Tektons again I would audition the Perfect SET with the two 10" woofers(which are designed to work with medium powered tube amps).I took them to my brother's place and ran them with his Klipsch Cornwalls which was an excellent match.The highs and mids sounded about the same as with his Parasound amp,but the bass became really outstanding.Full,natural,and punchy.We also tried them with a vintage pair of Heresys.The highs were not great(scratchy)but mids and bass were excellent.
My two cents:-)