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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
yyzsantabarbara
4,610 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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blackbag20
424 posts
 

+ 1 yyz

good equipment will give you great low-end!

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,445 posts
 

I frequently say that if you have to turn your system up  to sound good, then your system sucks.  

I'm not going to say all systems with high power ss amps and 87dB speakers suck.  That would offend lots of people with very expensive systems.  But isn't it a nice coincidence that the dealer has to sell you a very expensive amp to drive your very expensive 87dB speakers.

So instead I'll say that I think the easiest way to get an awesome system is a well designed SET tube amp and some nice 98dB speakers.  No I don't care for horns.  

But once you have a great sounding system, it will sound great at 70dB and you can listen for hours on end without fatigue.  I know this sounds like a fairy tale to many.

Jerry

PS Sitting here listening this morning since 0330 and I just checked the volume with my cell phone (not calibrated) and it's showing an average of 63dB.

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,798 posts
 

@immatthewj Wrote:

But I am assuming it is how easy the speaker actually is to drive (and this would be due to its nominal impedance?) versus the number/sensitivity the speaker is rated at?

Yes, nominal impedance and minimum impedance. In my opinion all three specifications are important, efficiency, impedance and sensitivity. My speakers are 96 dB SPL @ 1 watt @ 2 meters @ 8Ohms, efficiency is 2.7% and minimum impedance is 6Ohms. And the speakers excel at low level listening at 60-65 dB, and at that level the speakers are operating with milliwatts. 😎

Mike

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