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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 1 response by oddiofyl

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oddiofyl
4,104 posts
 

Sounds like you need a sub. That is not a very big room.  In a room i have that is similar size, my Sonus Faber Concerto play at pretty decent levels clearly with a 40 watt amp .   They have decent bass as low as they go down but they need a sub to really have a decent low end.  Those are rated at 86 dB and reviews put them more at 85 and forty watts is plenty.   

Not familiar with your speaker but i would double check all wiring to make sure the polarity is correct.   A speaker of phase can give weak bass

I doubt it is your gear , that is seriously good stuff.   I would reset the Mac preamp's processor and start from scratch.  

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour

This may explain your phenomenon .....   to crank it up is relative.    This explains what the old fashioned Loudness button did.  

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