My wife is a nurse and works nights, sleeps during the day. Our bedroom is directly above the listening room. Fully half the time I listen to my system when she is sleeping. My Maggies (84 db sensitivity) at low volume give me so much detail and even dynamics that it full out surprises me almost every time! I've had guests comment on exactly the same surprise that such low level listening can produce such detail. I also have two REL subs hooked up and the bass at low volumes is ever present. I fully believe it is a mix of electronics and speakers and I cannot agree with the statement that high efficiency correlates to quality listening at low volumes - Not on my system anyway.
Why are high efficiency speakers preferred for low volume listening?
I am sure that this is a very basic principle, but as I peruse the speaker section I frequently see high efficiency speakers suggested for those who listen at "low levels." And is this another area that actually is "how easy the speaker is to drive (as related to its nominal impedance)" that is more important than the actual sensitivity number?
And for an example of what I am asking with that last sentence, I seem to remember when I was window shopping for speakers, seeing some Harbeth speakers at TMR with a sensitivity rated below 87 (I think they were rated at 86 or 85) but being referred to as "an easy load to drive." So would that mean that the Harbeth speakers would be good for low volume listening?