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Basic question about sensitivity

Obviously I am mistaken, and I am positive that this has been covered before,  but I had thought that the higher the number (sensitivity) the easier the speaker was to drive.  However, when I read a thread in which someone is talking about a speaker they have or are interested in, I frequently do a cursory search and a little bit of reading about it, and, for example, a while ago I read a review & specs on the Monitor Audio Gold 300 5G with a sensitivity rating of either 90 or 91 (which I would have thought at one time meant it was a pretty easy load to drive) but the recommended amp was 100 to 250 wpc.

On the other hand, I just did a search and some reading on the Harbeth P3ESR XD which has a sensitivity rating of 83 (which at one time I would have thought meant it was a tough load to drive) but they are recommending amps "from 15 wpc".

What is the number listed for a speakers sensitivity actually meaning?

 

immatthewj
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,840 posts
 

@ghdprentice and a cabinet that contributes to….. output…not present in the…. input

immatthewj OP
1,234 posts
 

4. Specific Amplifier Requirements: Harbeth speakers have a nominal impedance of 6 ohms, which can be a challenge for some mainstream amplifiers. These amplifiers may not deliver enough current to drive the speakers to their full potential, potentially resulting in a less dynamic and detailed sound. This requirement for specific amplification options limits their accessibility to a broader audience, but it also attracts audiophiles who enjoy the challenge of pairing their speakers with compatible equipment to achieve the best possible sound.

 

Thanks, @ghdprentice , I am running a Cary V12 which is switchable between 50 wpc triode and 100 wpc ultralinear. I am currently running it in triode, and honestly, I do not think I would want to pair it with anything that I could not drive in its triode setting.

 

 

and a cabinet that contributes to….. output…not present in the…. input

@tomic601 , can you expound upon that?

 

ghdprentice
6,428 posts
 

OP,

 

I have Audio Research 160 amps. They operate either 140 wpc ultra linear or 70 wpc triode. Although the sound output is hardly different between the two… the triode mode is more musical to me. I have paired this amp with 90db sensitive Sonus Faber Amati Traditional speakers. Works great at any volume. 
 

Your Cary amp sounds great. If I were you I would want to hear the combination before committing, 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,840 posts
 

A cabinet that contributes to output is one that moves or is not inert. This can be seen in the waterfall chart. The cabinet is storing and releasing energy after the driver has reproduced the input. Some people like that.  

in the general context of my comments, i wouldn’t overly focus on a single specification or measurement. @ghdprentice had it right by advocating for hearing a particular speaker of interest w your amplifier.

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
614 posts
 

The EPDR measurement used by Hi Fi News and Stereophile gives a better indication of how difficult a load a speaker will present to the amplifiers.

The B&W 800 series are a good example of speakers that are relatively efficient but difficult to drive.

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