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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.
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Showing 1 response by mesch

mesch
3,414 posts
 
Are you building a system for this room from scratch or do you have an amplifier you wish to use?  It is the AMP/speaker combination that will determine suitability for your room. As Al stated the impedance issue is also a factor. I you have an amp which one? 

From my experience it is hard to find a small bookshelf type speaker that has reasonable bass level (50hz) and sensitivity rating above 87dB at the budget level of the Dynaudio Evokes (below $1000 I believe). Also finding ones that have do not drop below 4ohms somewhere below 200hz is difficult. 

If you don't have an amp purchase the speakers you like and find one that will drive them to the required level. The small room works in your favor. Also if you won't be trying to drive yourself out of the room with volume.  
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