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Downside of sensitivity?

I'm new to world of audio, and still puzzling out a number of things. One question in particular that I have concerns speaker senstivity. It seems as though higher sensitivity is a positive, i.e. it allows one to use lower-power amplifiers, sound is more relaxed, generally more flexible with equipment. Yet there seem to be a large number of quality speakers with lowish sensitivity. Given that speaker design seems to be an exercise in compromise (short of the cost-is-no-object level), what qualities does one give up with higher-sensitivity (say, > 91db)? Conversely, what qualities does the speaker designer gain with a less sensitive design(86-87 db)? I've quickly learned that there are no absolutes when it comes to audio equipment, but any thoughts as to the trade-offs in general? Tks.
john_adams_sunnyvale
acresverde
386 posts
 
@johnk I think you pretty well summed it up. If you really want full range and lifelike sound you’ve got to be willing to accommodate the physical size requirements necessary to facilitate it naturally. Otherwise, you’re reduced to trying to bludgeon it out of suboptimal boxes.
fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
Speakers are very subjective. I personally like speakers that are efficient, 93dB/watt@1m or greater. Concentric or coaxial mounted drivers best, 2nd is vertically aligned drivers as close together as possible. Only one driver for the tweeter frequencies, 8kHz. or higher.
mozartfan
2,143 posts
 
fiesta75473 posts07-02-2021 2:23pmSpeakers are very subjective. I personally like speakers that are efficient, 93dB/watt@1m or greater. Concentric or coaxial mounted drivers best, 2nd is vertically aligned drivers as close together as possible. Only one driver for the tweeter frequencies, 8kHz. or higher.
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have to agree, although it is a bit ofa  oddity. 
Subjective-ity.
But its true
Some folks like xover designs.
They have no interest at all in wide band.

Whereas for me, its always been a  search for what will voice classical the best. 
It took some time, But I finally   made the FR/wide band/high sensitivity discovery, 
Its in my nature to seek and explore. 
While others here, xovers til the end. 
I prefer wide band /FR  vs  concentric and any other high sens type design. 

Yes cutoff point is 92db/93db. 
91db is too low for my music. In spite of the fact I have a  100watt channel tube amp, 
Yeah I know complete overkill.
Xover designs rarely go above 91db. Seas Thors are a  miserable 87db. World calss drivers, but dated as far as sens issues. 
I think high sens will be the new thing in the near future. Just have to EDU folks about this superior design.


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