Great that there are lots of comments and examples here for your question... I have to agree with many here regarding higher efficiency speakers over inefficient ones. I've had both types, and in each case, micro-detail has always been notably better with higher sensitivity speakers. I had 89db speakers and using the same electronics, my friend brought his 98db speakers in and with my exact same electronics, you could immediately hear the micro-detail difference just queueing the stylus ! I was astonished as the music seemed more real and alive. I sold my beloved speakers soon after and bought 94db ones and experienced that same more alive, real and micro-dynamic improvements. Then moving to much lower powered amplifiers (ie... less components that "touch" the signal) even more micro-detail was apparent. So now, I am ordering my last set of speakers at 101db efficiency to take advantage of my low-powered amplifiers. I don't listen at very high volumes but it's the details, soundstage, and realistic portrayal that really capture me. There's only one exception to the inefficient speakers I've found to those that are efficient that I've experienced and that's the Magnapans. I heard music played on the 3.7i's and the upper mid-range/treble was some of the most accurate and micro-detailed I've ever heard. This is proof that there are exceptions to every rule, and in the case of the Maggies, the extremely light weight diaphragm is the reason for the terrific micro-detail, despite their inefficiencies. Everyone's tastes in music and how it's portrayed is different, and that includes speakers and corresponding electronics, so if you enjoy how your music is reproduced with your stuff, that is what's most important. .