I prefer high efficiency but I don't undersize my systems so I get bass into the 20-30hz range on most systems. I find higher eff designs to have a more realistic sound quality if done right. But many are too compromised in size. But sadly so are most of the loudspeakers offered today. Shipping costs and material costs all lead to smaller and smaller designs. I get 1 tear in my eye at audio shops it's all too small.
What is your take on high efficient speakers vs. low efficient speakers?
Consider both designs are done right and your other equipment is well matched with the speakers. Do you have any preference when it comes to sound quality? Is it matter of economic decision when it comes to price? - power amps can become very expensive when power goes up, on the other hand large, efficient speakers are expensive as well. Is your decision based on room size? I'd love to hear from you on the subject.
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The best performance comes from electrostatic speakers. They are generally mid efficiency speakers but are very amps sensitive and owner sensitive. Otherwise it is 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other. The best performance I have heard come out of dynamic loudspeakers came from inefficient speakers driven by huge amplifiers. |
All good comments up to now. I'd only add electrical impedance is critical measure of truly efficient speakers.
As owner and modifier of Klipschorns I have had choice to continue with shallow slope crossovers or go to steep slope. Klipschorns nominal impedance with stock shallow slope crossover rated as 8 ohm, with 104db sensitivity, it would seem to be easy to drive speaker. In reality there are drops down to 3 and 2.7 ohms with steep phase angles, requires fair amount of current. Taking this into account impacted my choice of amps, 45 and 2a3 SET were considered but eliminated due to these severe phase angles which really require amp capable of delivering some current at 4ohms. I settled on custom built 300B monoblocks which have pretty massive power supplies (each have PS equivalent to what one would normally see in stereo 300B). While I may yet try a 2a3, would have to have pretty special power supplies to cope with these phase angles.
So, for me a truly high efficient speaker is one that 45 or 2a3 flea watt amp can drive comfortably, this would be 100+db sensitivity with benign electrical impedance curve. Klipschorn or other 100+ sensitivity with less benign impedance curve something slightly less than truly high efficient. |
@mijostyn that is interesting…it’s the polar opposite of my experience |
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