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Speaker sensitivity vs SQ

My first thread at AG.

Millercarbon continues to bleat on about the benefits of high sensitivity speakers in not requiring big amplifier watts.
After all, it's true big amplifiers cost big money.  If there were no other factors, he would of course be quite right.

So there must be other factors.  Why don't all speaker manufacturers build exclusively high sensitivity speakers?
In a simple world it ought to be a no-brainer for them to maximise their sales revenue by appealing to a wider market.

But many don't.  And in their specs most are prepared to over-estimate the sensitivity of their speakers, by up to 3-4dB in many cases, in order to encourage purchasers.  Why do they do it?

There must be a problem.  The one that comes to mind is sound quality.  It may be that high sensitivity speakers have inherently poorer sound quality than low sensitivity speakers.  It may be they are more difficult to engineer for high SQ.  There may be aspects of SQ they don't do well.

So what is it please?

128x128clearthinker

Showing 3 responses by jetter

jetter
2,961 posts
 
@lalitk 
Ever since I traded my 92db efficiency speakers for 96db efficiency speakers, I have been living on easy street.
And your speakers are on the larger side perhaps partly as a result of the increased efficiency and larger driver?  And I would die to have them, they are just beautiful.
jetter
2,961 posts
 
I agree that speaker manufacturers don't, but should, publish their impedance graphs.

However, I also believe that there are a plethora of amplifiers that can power most, except for the ridiculously low impedance speakers, and they sell for reasonable prices nowadays, particularly if purchasing used.

Thiel speakers and other hard to drive speakers are still as popular as ever.  Thiel owners seem to find amps that make them sing and they love their speakers.
jetter
2,961 posts
 
@ clearthinker
An excellent first post. As you can see by Duke’s response above you are correct, there are other factors that are impacted by and to be considered when evaluating a speaker’s efficiency.

MC’s response to your thread is somewhat puzzling, you do seem to "get it".
Encouraging to see at least some get it. Not surprised at all to see the O P does not.
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