Sensitivity in speakers


Just my luck I took woodshop instead of electrical engineering. Maybe if I undestood the difference between a volt vs. a watt, I might know how to pick my next speakers.

Here's the problem - as much as I like cranking it when the missus isn't around (perhaps I should reword that?), I want speakers that I don't have to blast to get a full bodied sound. Upgraditis has lead me to Manley Neoclassic 250's driven by a Manley Steelhead with a Sota Cosmos/Shelter901 and Wavelength DAC as sources (the sources courtesy of Jay Kaufman at Audio Revolutions - a truly great guy to work with). All of this runs into Von Schweikert VR-2's. A nice speaker from my POV but not quite up to the rest of the system.

Recommendations please - what speakers would fit into this system that would sound great at all volume levels? Of course like many of us I want soaring extended highs, warm, life-like mids' and bass from the bowels of the earth.

I don't have unlimited resources but I'd rather measure the distance between me and great speakers in time rather than current cashflow.

Sugestions?
john_leslie

Showing 1 response by gregm

I'm not sure your question is about spkrs sensitivity (db spl/1W/1m) or frequency response or power response.

Generally speaking, spkrs that spec over92db "sensitivity" will play plenty loud with your amps (they'll reach ~115db spl peaks -- if they can take that power).

If OTOH you want speakers to play an extended frequency range i.e., "soaring extended highs, warm, life-like mids' and bass from the bowels of the earth" you'll need a subwoofer -- or similar setup. You can come close with a number of stand alone spkrs, but you won;t actually get there...

Some manufacturers offer models that incorporate a separately amplified bass section -- which can effectively help you attain a "full-range sound. Genesis, the expensive VS, Vandersteen, many others. These tend to be expensive (over 10k). The Genesis 6.1 I listened to recently were quite nice for less than 10k.

BTW, how big is your room?