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Efficency- Low vs. Hi?


Im trying to figure out the point in speakers with very low efficency, for example my speakers which are 4ohm and 86db. As far as im concerned they have no benefit besides being able to spend much more on an amp to get them to move. Right now they sound shut in, boring and thin with my Cambrdige Integrated amp, which is rated at 65 watts 4 0hm. I do not really have the budget to spend hundreds MORE on a power amp just to get these speakers to sound as good as a high efficent design on a lower powered amp, such as my current cambridge. So what are the benefits to having power hungry speakers? Why should i have to spend tons of money just because my speakers are designed with poor efficency?
dave123456a1b3
jeff_jones
418 posts
 
You should be less prone to audible grunge from some of the low level electrical noise sources, and this can save bucks on noise reducing / isolating gadgets and whatzits.
Also if you go tubes all those big glowing bulbs look cool.
Else, besides what was said previously about getting good bass from a smaller box, I don't know of an upside.
elgordo
530 posts
 
I'm not familiar with the PSB line but don't they have some floor standing models that are more efficient? If you keep your amp but change speakers, won't you get a lot more "bang for the buck"? I just looked on ebay and saw a pair of PSB Alpha T speakers with a "buy it now" price of $298. Efficiency is listed as 91 dB which means they should play as loud with your amp as your Minis would play on 200 watts/channel. What about those Status Golds that everyone raved about?
nikturner920
144 posts
 
The stratus series IME is hard to drive in general and has to be pushed a bit to open up. I was able to drive a pair of stratus silvers with a 60W rotel amp. This was a seperate amp that weighed 20+lbs though. The silvers didn't really shine until I got a Bryston 3b-st.

Amps are a good buy used. If you can use the Cambrdige as a pre I would pick up a 100W rotel amp from as few years ago and try it out. You can add a real pre later if you want. If that doesn't help then the Mini's aren't for you and just move on.
c123666
871 posts
 
There are so many medium and high efficiency speakers with excellent sound that I see little reason to use low efficiency speakers. Only exception to this statement is if you gotta have something like a big Soundlab electrostat or Acoustat vintage electrostats.
daltonlanny
301 posts
 
Sometimes high efficiency speakers have larger peaks and dips in their frequency response, and between the drivers at their crossover points, and less low bass extension.
Otherwise for low output amps and integrated amps, good high efficiency speakers are the way to go!
Daltonlanny
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