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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 quanghuy147

quanghuy147
79 posts
 

Hi everyone, 

I just got a pair of T-3.2 SP. I am pairing them with Mcintoch MC402 400 watt/channel and C2200 preamp. I noticed that I need to crank the volume to a certain level for all the bass coming out.

My listening room is small (12 feet x 15 ft). I usually listen at low volume. I wonder what amp and how many watt I should pair with them in order to have all (or most of) the bass even at low volume.

 

Also, do these speakers need to have monoblock or even biamp or it's just a "good to have" feature?

I found very little discussion about Classic Audio in other forums when googling so any help here is greatly appreciated!

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