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Downside of sensitivity?

I'm new to world of audio, and still puzzling out a number of things. One question in particular that I have concerns speaker senstivity. It seems as though higher sensitivity is a positive, i.e. it allows one to use lower-power amplifiers, sound is more relaxed, generally more flexible with equipment. Yet there seem to be a large number of quality speakers with lowish sensitivity. Given that speaker design seems to be an exercise in compromise (short of the cost-is-no-object level), what qualities does one give up with higher-sensitivity (say, > 91db)? Conversely, what qualities does the speaker designer gain with a less sensitive design(86-87 db)? I've quickly learned that there are no absolutes when it comes to audio equipment, but any thoughts as to the trade-offs in general? Tks.
john_adams_sunnyvale

Showing 1 response by sean

sean
6,231 posts
 
High sensitivity typically comes at the expense of wide bandwidth, power handling, convenient size, etc... So long as the other criteria can be met within reason i.e. speakers that will go low enough, don't go into dynamic compression rapidly and / or are of convenient size for your specific location of placement, the more sensitive the speaker, the better off you are. How the higher than average level of sensitivity is achieved may bring about other side effects that make things less desirable. Like anything else, do your homework BEFORE spending your money and / or audition as much gear as you can to form your own opinions. Just remember to compare apples to apples if you want to arrive at logical conclusions. Sean
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