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Why are high efficiency speakers preferred for low volume listening?

I am sure that this is a very basic principle, but as I peruse the speaker section I frequently see high efficiency speakers suggested for those who listen at "low levels." And is this another area that actually is "how easy the speaker is to drive (as related to its nominal impedance)" that is more important than the actual sensitivity number?

And for an example of what I am asking with that last sentence, I seem to remember when I was window shopping for speakers, seeing some Harbeth speakers at TMR with a sensitivity rated below 87 (I think they were rated at 86 or 85) but being referred to as "an easy load to drive." So would that mean that the Harbeth speakers would be good for low volume listening?

immatthewj
zlone
600 posts
 

So is the bottom line that you liked the Klipschs better than the KEFs, particularly at low levels?

No, definitely not. For the time they were great, but I love the KEF’s, even for low volume. I just wonder if another speaker might be a little more lively at lower volumes. 

immatthewj OP
1,842 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr  , so are you basically saying that the bottom line is that horn (tweeters?)  sound better when played at low levels than traditional cone (tweeters/) do?  Sorry if it is obvious that this is what you said, but I am not good with this stuff, and I often have trouble wrapping my head around it.

consider that highly efficient speakers are likely to involve horns,

the throat/directivity of horns give dispersion control cones do not.

i.e. smooth ’received’ frequency response curve at the listening position (not just 1 meter away), the different relationship of direct primary and reflected sound waves

the perception of any frequency, and clarity of instantaneous peaks is/are enhanced when less reflected sound waves are involved.

dispersion, not volume

 

immatthewj OP
1,842 posts
 

No, definitely not. For the time they were great, but I love the KEF’s, even for low volume. I just wonder if another speaker might be a little more lively at lower volumes. 

Thank you for clarifying that, @zlone  .  (And a quick google showed that your KEFs are rated at 85.)

mofojo
2,269 posts
 

I just sold some Cornwall iv speakers. They were great just moved on. I will say that yes they were great at low volume as if you weren’t missing anything. Dynamics and punch and everything else intact. Problem is I don’t listen that way very often and I found something else that suits me better but at low volumes the Cornwalls were more betta. 

yyzsantabarbara
4,720 posts
 

My not so efficient speakers, Magnepan LRS+, sound great at low volume. I find that low volume greatness requires a very quiet chain. I use a Benchmark HPA4 preamp and Sanders Magtech amp.

The LRS+ is actually hard to drive but imy setup sounds great at low volume. I have been listening at low volume late at night lately since I have the house to myself. Normally, the headphones come out at 9PM, but I am too lazy to put that system back together so the LRS+ has been given extended listening late at night.

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