We should reject hard-to-drive speakers more often

Just found this thread again.  I completely agree with you about your post Sounds_real!  Too many folks read specs etc… and forget to put a true ‘system’ together.  As long as you have the system to match your speakers, you’ll never have to worry about specs and how hard or easy a speaker is to drive.  

I’ve always marveled at how many folks just assume speakers with lower efficiency ratings assume they are hard to drive etc…, but in fact they may end up being easy to drive in real life.  

As long as you have the system to match your speakers, you’ll never have to worry about specs and how hard or easy a speaker is to drive.

Well, how exactly do you match those without a lot of trial and error, or social knowledge if you can’t actually rely on specs?

As a consumer this seems like a ton of work. Sometimes this work is a lot more because vendors ( looking at you, KEF ) completely mischaracterize their products.

Why do some tube amps have the power to drive apogee scintilla and full range speakers, the specs certainly don't tell you this would work.

What tube amps ( tubes used in the output stage ) can " adequately " drive 1 ohm Scintillas ? I am not aware of any, and would like to know, so I may sleep better tonight. My best, MrD.

Eric, that's why I use dealers and purchase from them. They are the ones who do the work as they carry what will work together best and what will be reliable (they can't make money when things break down).  

Too often folks just buy 'top rated' this or that or component of the month.  I found a speaker I love and then I listen to the dealers as well as what the manufacturer uses and it's a start.  

When reading posts online, you see where spec defy reality.  There are just too many factors like room size, ones own hearing, what's in the room (room sound) etc...  Yes, trial and error is a huge part of this hobby isn't it?  I may read threads and mags, but my ears are always the final factor.  Just because a high efficiency speaker seems easy to drive, that doesn't mean it the electronics will sound good with them, just that they can 'drive' them.  I'm not an engineer, nor do I need to be to know what sounds good.  

I don't have the money for trail and error purchasing and selling like so many seem to have (or they do it and keep loosing money on the treadmill) so I audition before purchasing.  It's very rare that I don't and that includes my high priced cables and cords.  That's just me. We all have our own way to purchase and I'm not dissing anyone else's way.  It's all good and it's still all about the music for me.