Higher sensitivity - more dynamic sound?

Uhm, never heard that one before, but ok....

Think of it this way, it is a combination of the loudspeaker and the amplifier that creates the dynamic range:

102dB/Wm sensitive speakers unpackage 102 dB range from 1W source material.

From the same 1W source material 82dB/Wm speakers unpackage only 82dB.

No matter how many watts we throw at it, the more sensitive is always giving us a wider dynamic range.

Now, if you need 102dB level with the 82dB/Wm speakers, then you need to bloat the 1W source to 100W, creating x100 distortion along the way compared to the 1W. To get the 100W reasonably error-free, to reduce the errors made by the additional amplification, we need feedback that removes not only the errors but substantially compromises the low level details as well, leading to a collapse of the low level of the dynamic range.

I have been enjoying high sensitivity speakers and low powered tube  amps for a few years now.   It's a good combo with the right pairing 

@johnk

+1, very logical.

Yet lower-moderate sensitivity speakers dominate the marketplace. These speaker manufacturers know that with the proliferation of affordable transistor wattage/power, an amplifier is readily available for the typical 85-87 db sensitivity 4 ohm impedance speaker. It seems the path of less resistance. Thus the default choice. 200-300 tube watts gets expensive relatively speaking.

I get the sense that good quality high sensitivity and easy to drive speakers may be more involved/complex and harder to get right. However when executed properly they can be quite the special product.

Charles

the technology doesn't matter - the concrete result is important...
in general (if you listen to serious adult music) - you will get more result per dollar...
But there are features (short stroke) and highly sensitive speakers not for teenage music (rock, metal, techno and the like) ...
This is not like a missed liver punch by Eric Butterbean))