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Low-sensitivity speakers — What's special about them?

I'm building a system for a smaller room (need smaller bookshelves), and I did a bunch of research and some listening. I am attracted both to the Dynaudio Evoke 10's (heard locally) and the Salk Wow1 speakers (ordered and I'm waiting on them for a trial). I have a Rel 328 sub.

Here's the thing — both of those speakers are 84db sensitivity. Several people on this forum and my local dealer have remarked, "You should get a speaker that's easier to drive so you have a wider choice of power and can spend less, too."

That advice — get a more efficient speaker — makes sense to me, but before I just twist with every opinion I come across (I'm a newbie, so I'm pathetically suggestible), I'd like to hear the other side. Viz.,

QUESTION: What is the value in low sensitivity speakers? What do they do for your system or listening experience which make them worth the cost and effort to drive them? Has anyone run the gamut from high to low and wound up with low for a reason?

Your answers to this can help me decide if I should divorce my earlier predilections to low-sensitivity speakers (in other words, throw the Salks and Dyns overboard) and move to a more reasonable partner for a larger variety of amps. Thanks.
hilde45

Showing 2 responses by arcticdeth

arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Nothing “special” bout them. 
   You may need a more powerful amp. 
  Or depending what the speaker load is 4Ohm?

  Mine are somewhat higher, BUT, the highs are rolled off, so they seem and ARE warmer sounding. Recording dependent is huge, a good recording is fine, a HOT recording will sound too bright, even on my speakers 

especially the scorpions remasters several years ago, they are so bad, it’s like the sound guy, pushed up every lever of the treble, they are not even listenable,......which is why I use my old original pressings. 
    I personally like warmer speakers, so, if you like the sound of them, keep, and enjoy the NON fatiguing sound. 
Enjoy. 
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
I prefer low sensitivity speakers. Mine are listed at 91, which may seem high, in my room they are not bright at all. 
The listed 91 must be different in the chamber, as the crossover/tweeter the highs are rolled off at 600 hk/kHz, whatever!
  They seem very warm to me, which is what I love. Never any ear splitting/searing/molar grinding treble at all!

  Will try to make my speakers last forever!!

gave my BIC venturi dv84 to my cousin, as the treble, while super perfect and accurate, just hit a nerve , and made me feel anxious, and get up to dial down the volume. 
   The Altec Lansing M-508’s were great, but didn’t have the beef on the bass dept.

anyway, I now look for low sensitivity speakers, or ones that are labeled as “warm”
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