What component is responsible for dynamics ?

Chadeffect, with a lower sensitivity speaker you will end up with less noise at lower volume levels, and a much better chance at having a true time and phase coherent sound. I am still waiting for a high sensitivity speaker that can demonstrate the ability to pass anything resembling a square wave. The only thing a high sensitivity speaker does better is providing more ultimate volume in larger spaces with less power. Not something that most residential users tend to need concern themselves with.

Hi unsound,

You must have listened to some really old crap if you feel noise is an issue with high sensitivity.

I have tried numerous bits of kit on my 110db speakers & I have never heard a modern amp or whatever create any noise.

Funny you should mention phase as I am experimenting with something shortly. But I have had phase coherent speakers it's not that big a deal compared to the other gains IMHO.

If you really think horns are just some kind of PA used for filling large spaces, I guess some are & some are not. Mine can go loud but they have crushed everything else for inner detail, transparecy, involvement, dynamic freedom etc. No coloration & über speed. Electrostatic like but on steroids.

I have used just about every type of speaker design type & loved a few. But when I found spherical horns I was done. It had the best compromise.

Square wave is bogus & doesn't exist in music. But if it matters to you we can discuss it in another thread.

Hi all ! IMHO the speakers for sure , I just went from a 90db speaker with 160 wpc to a 98 db speaker with 4 wpc . The 4 wpc setup blows away the 160 wpc setup as far as dynamics go . Also , we talk about efficiency...what about sensitivity ? (not the same thing ) And no , the noise floor did not increase ...quite the contrary .

Chadeffect, square waves aren't the end all, but certainly are an insight into fidelity. We wouldn't accept the inability of an amplifier to produce a square wave, why would it be any different for a speaker. Some traditional dynamic, electrostatic and even true Walsh omnis speakers can do it, but I've yet hear of a high efficiency speaker that's capable of it. Seems to me that in the effort to gain high efficiency, sacrifices have been made.
I think we sometimes have different priorities, which explains the different audio systems. I would choose correct time, waveform fidelity and lack of coloration over the ability to produce volume levels well over 100 DB for my home. To each his own.

Bradluke0, interesting comments. The 89dB/160 watt combo has a significantly greater max acoustic output than the other combo, but if you listen below 99dB it won't enter into the equation.