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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
elliottbnewcombjr
5,197 posts
 

Try Tube Amp(s) now or some day?

That is why I recommend starting/auditioning higher sensitivity speakers, hopefully finding one you really want.

Also, avoid speakers whose impedance drops a lot from it's 'nominal' impedance rating, that will effect/limit the amps to ones that can properly handle low impedance.

Lower power needs lets you select amps/tube amp(s) that are smaller, less heat, more placement options, as well as being in a more competitive price category.

My friend is currently looking for a pair of 100 wpc tube mono blocks. Very limited, big, heavy, hot, big price

erik_squires
15,791 posts
 

@yoyoyaya It's a very good point.  The Kef Reference 1 Meta is an excellent example.

I wish someone would loan me one of those, there is some truly wonky stuff going on in their crossover.

immatthewj OP
1,234 posts
 

Try Tube Amp(s) now or some day?

 

My friend is currently looking for a pair of 100 wpc tube mono blocks. Very limited, big, heavy, hot, big price

@elliottbnewcombjr  ,  I am presently running a Cary tube amp (EL 34s).  Prior to the Cary I owned a pair of ARC VTM 120s (6550s).  Prior to that I ran a smaller Cary. 

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
614 posts
 

@OP and Erik_Squires, I just took another look at the LS50 Meta's measurements - it has a couple of tough impedance/phase dips in the bass and low midrange and it's insensitive, so might not be the best choice for the amp in triode mode. However, the crossover design choices have yielded a really very fine set of measurements otherwise.

immatthewj OP
1,234 posts
 

@yoyoyaya , my amp does have 4 ohm taps. Do you think that might compensate for "tough impedance/phase dips in the bass and low midrange"?

And what did you mean by

though they are a bit polarising

?

 

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