low efficiency speaker vs. high efficiency speaker?

Speaker sensitivity is not directly related to sound quality. One advantage of higher sensitivity designs is that they can be match with lower output amplifiers. High quality, high wattage amplifiers are much more expensive than mid to low output amplifiers, whereas a high efficiency speaker is no more or less expensive than a similar quality low effieciency design. Remember, any speaker design involves making trade-offs.

There are two groups of audiophiles I believe on this subject. # 1. is the high efficient spkr. low watt amp guys.#2 are the low efficient spkr. high power guys. They both have good reasons why one is better than the other. I personally like somewhere in between,20-70 watt tube amp and 89-93 db spkr.The more efficient a speaker is,the louder it will play per watt, some believe the high efficient is thin and bright. Some believe the low efficient needs gobs of power to get them to sound good. You will have to come to your conclusion on this. Kind of like tubes vs solid state.

i think the major current emphasis on high effiency is due to the interest in low power set amps. you can experience some beautiful sounds with such. however one of the major potential practical down sides to the use of high effiency speakers is the demand of having a very quiet pre-amp and source - any residual humm or other noise, tube hiss for example, come to mind. i prefer lower effiency and higher power.