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speaker sensitivity vs. speaker size

I would like to draw on all of you for your experience on this matter.

Here is my question:

If I have two pairs of speakers, one being a pair of monitors (bookshelf size) and a pair of floor standers (both from the same company, in this case) and they both have the same sensitivity rating (actually, in this case, the bookshelf is rated at 85db/w/m and the floorstander is rated at 86db/w/m), would they both be equally easy/ difficult amplifier loads (if the identical amp was used on either pair)? (sorry about the run-on sentence)

The larger speaker has a metal tweeter, a 6.5 inch midrange and an 8 inch bass driver. The smaller has the same, minus the 8 inch driver.

It is my inclination to think that, despite the ratings, the larger would be the more difficult load as it has more drivers to control).

I am calling on you guys to help with clarification on this matter.

thanks in advance
loose
bomarc
501 posts
 
Newbee (despite his name) is pretty much on target here. (Though I don't put much stock in the phrase "high current amp." As used by amp manufacturers/marketers, it can mean almost anything.)

The number of drivers is not the important factor here. Sensitivity is a measure of how loud a speaker can play with a certain amount of juice flowing through it. Based on the numbers you give, the floorstander will actually play a bit louder. (This assumes that both manufacturers tested their product's sensitivity the same way, which you cannot be sure of. That's why comparing specs is futile.)
newbee
4,768 posts
 
Bomarc,

Mocking my moniker eh. Ah, whats in a name. A rose would smell the same (Forgive me Shakespeare for I haven't got a clue). Maybe I should just change it to Middlebee or Oldbee, but then it wouldn't bee as much fun. This way I get to catch some people asleep some times.
bomarc
501 posts
 
I thought you were just being humble!
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
A perfect example of this would be a pair of Revel M20's against a pair of B&W N803's. I had experience with this this past weekend. The Revels are far more inefficient than the 803's. The 803's are far larger in size and have double the amount of drivers.
elevick
2,638 posts
 
This may help:
a gain in 3db of sensitivity will = double the wattage
a gain in 10db = double the perceived volume
Therefor, 100 watts on 86db speakers will be no louder than a 20 watt amp driving 94db speakers. That's why a lot of SET tube amps are only 5-10 watts.

The other thing to know is that most speakers are rated at a "nominal" rating for impedance and efficiency. Some will change a lot when driven really hard in the bass region. Therefor, a tiny speaker may be harder to drive since you are trying to get lots of bass out of a 5 or 6 in woofer vs a 10 or 12 inch woofer that is working less hard.
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