We should reject hard-to-drive speakers more often

I always wonder that too. I think the original reasons were that the loudspeakers were cheaper and so were the higher powered solid-state amplifiers. But that’s not really true anymore.

Also for cone speakers (generally) just shrink the voice coil and widen the gap and “bingo” you’ve got a much flatter frequency response (and usually less expensive manufacturing cost)

I have tried multiples of pairs of rather low sensitivity loudspeakers.

Dozens of them…not 100’s though (likely BS on anyone having tried 1000’s of pairs lol)

They always leave me dry, but many of friends and family seem to enjoy them so again it’s all subjective.

I’ve got  both types of systems now (one in the basement another in outer building)

For the low sensitivity system I’ll get compliments on how “smooth” or “nice” they sound.
To me I’ve come to take these adjectives as code words for “flat”, un-exciting or “not dynamic”

But it’s the never ending story, and taste can’t be argued.

I still say it’s just different human perceptions of what sounds good

I had some 3-way tower speakers that were supposed to be the bees knees- scan speak drivers with Ber. tweets) at around 87db sensitivity (translation more like 84 db) 

Same thing, comments on how “smooth” or “even” they sounded…

Every time I tried to turn them up loud for a more live concert experience (rarely), they always seemed to fart out (probably the thermal compression mentioned)

Im talking loud as hell here (balls out) for just a song or two.

My floor to ceiling line arrays do seem to get there db wise, but still sound smoothed to hell in terms of dynamics

Only thing I really like about em is their uniform loudness wether listening close or far (they don’t blow your head off up close, or fade way off if far away…)

As always.…YMMV

“I’d also like to point out that there’s a sub-thread here about high efficiency speakers which is not mine, I take no responsibility for those statements regarding efficiency vs. sound quality.”

@erik_squires  With your post headline I’m not sure how you would expect anything else here on Audiogon. We’re a subjective bunch, often ignoring objective facts about “why we should reject hard to drive speakers more often “

Perhaps “bragging rights” with cost or watts?

Nothing is more disappointing than too spend a small fortune on “hard to drive speakers” and mega watt amps only to come away disappointed or longing for something that seems missing.

So getting back to my point (or highjacking). Personally, trying to use and/or enjoy “hard to drive speakers” repeatedly has been a

“The Emporers new clothes”  thing.