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Low-sensitivity speakers — What's special about them?

I'm building a system for a smaller room (need smaller bookshelves), and I did a bunch of research and some listening. I am attracted both to the Dynaudio Evoke 10's (heard locally) and the Salk Wow1 speakers (ordered and I'm waiting on them for a trial). I have a Rel 328 sub.

Here's the thing — both of those speakers are 84db sensitivity. Several people on this forum and my local dealer have remarked, "You should get a speaker that's easier to drive so you have a wider choice of power and can spend less, too."

That advice — get a more efficient speaker — makes sense to me, but before I just twist with every opinion I come across (I'm a newbie, so I'm pathetically suggestible), I'd like to hear the other side. Viz.,

QUESTION: What is the value in low sensitivity speakers? What do they do for your system or listening experience which make them worth the cost and effort to drive them? Has anyone run the gamut from high to low and wound up with low for a reason?

Your answers to this can help me decide if I should divorce my earlier predilections to low-sensitivity speakers (in other words, throw the Salks and Dyns overboard) and move to a more reasonable partner for a larger variety of amps. Thanks.
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mapman's avatar
mapman
22,210 posts
 
If you want or need smaller speakers for whatever reason I’d say that is certainly special.   So is higher efficiency that does not ask as much of an amp.  Two different things.   Both special but in different ways for different purposes.   
I will agree though that size does matter when it comes to speakers.  It’s always a matter of trade offs. 
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,883 posts
 
I concur with johnk. My speakers have an efficiency of 2.7% and a low frequency response of -3 db @ 24 Hz. To get that high efficiency and low bass response and low distortion without a subwoofer requires large main speakers. No way around it. BTW; Some people prefer low efficiency speakers over high efficiency speakers and that's fine too.
jon_5912
605 posts
 
Judging by this thread I'd say low sensitivity speakers have the advantage of not having an hysterical cult following that refuses to accept that what is most important to them isn't necessarily what is most important to everyone.  
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,807 posts
 
Judging by this thread I'd say low sensitivity speakers have the advantage of not having an hysterical cult following that refuses to accept that what is most important to them isn't necessarily what is most important to everyone.  
A bit of innuendo here so if I might flesh this out a bit... The reason lower sensitivity speakers have a following is two things. Size, and the idea that efficiency is sacrificed for resolution. The first is very true the second is market- and not true. What this means is that if you want a wider bandwidth speaker, and in particular one that goes lower in the bass, in theory you can go lower with a smaller cabinet if the speaker is less efficient.


IMO/IME that is something very different from saying that there is something special about them as in the OP. And for the record there is nothing hysterical about me stating this; these simple facts (see Occam's Razor...) are well-known.
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