How important is speaker sensitivity?

[twochordcool]

There are very highly reviewed speakers that I want to consider but they have a lower sensitivity rating than other speakers that I am considering also.

89 db seems to be average.

But is a drop down to 86 db speakers very bad?

For example -

Now Hear This! SB-2 –
51Hz to 22kHz
86db
150 Watts

Now Hear This! SB-3 –
39Hz- 22kHz
175 Watts
86db???

Paradigm Atom –
70Hz to 20Khz
86 db
80 Watts

Paradigm Titan –
60Hz to 20kHz
86 db
100 Watts

Epos ELS-3 -
65Hz-20KHz
87db
100 Watts
4 ohms nominal

Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 -
69Hz to 20kHz
89db
200 Watts

Axiom M3ti –
60 to 22kHz
88 db
175 Watts

Axiom M22ti –
60Hz to 22kHz
89db
200 Watts

Energy C-3 –
46Hz to 23kHz
89db
125 Watts

Monitor Audio Bronze B2 –
42Hz to 22kHz
90db
100 Watts
6 Ohms

Unfortunately also, some of the speakers with the higher sensitivity don't seem to have as broad of a frequency response (Ascend CBM-170)

Please discuss!

 

[MacManNM]

IMO there is nothing wrong with the lower sensitivity speakers, as a matter of fact I feel that they are more accurate in general.

 

[MDS]

By that logic, 83 dB speakers would be even more 'accurate'.

The only difference is that 86 dB speakers will require more power to achieve the same output SPL as a higher sensitivity speaker. If they have good frequency response, you like the way they sound, and they are in your price range, then by all means get them.

 

[Spiffyfast]

Just put an amp to them if your worried about not getting enough sound, should be fine either way though

 

[MacManNM]

By that logic, 83 dB speakers would be even more 'accurate'.

The only difference is that 86 dB speakers will require more power to achieve the same output SPL as a higher sensitivity speaker. If they have good frequency response, you like the way they sound, and they are in your price range, then by all means get them.

It is simply an opinion, based on past experience. I believe I am entitled to one!

 

[mtrycrafts]

IMO there is nothing wrong with the lower sensitivity speakers, as a matter of fact I feel that they are more accurate in general.

Ah, a feeling. It would be better to know, wouldn't it?

 

[mtrycrafts]

It is simply an opinion, based on past experience. I believe I am entitled to one!

Everyone is entitled to one, even me. But some are worth more than others or else nobody's would be worth anything, right?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

It all depends on what you use to drive them. My Denon 3805 is just enough to drive my Polk 7.1 that are rated at 89dB (at least the RTi10 towers). If you don't have at least a receiver equivalent to a 3805, I'd suggest looking at speakers at 91dB or higher. SPL ratings don't tell the quality of the speaker, but do state how well your amp/receiver will drive them. I'm sorry I bought speakers with an 89dB rating. In hindsight, I would have preferred a similar quality speaker rated in the low to mid 90's. Now I plan on buying a separate amp to power the woofers in my towers. In my case, I have a very large room which opens up to an eating area/kitchen. If you are in a smaller room, it may not be necessary. SPL ratings, IMO, are extremely important if you don't have the cash to purchase a hefty receiver or separate amp.

 

[mtrycrafts]

There are very highly reviewed speakers that I want to consider but they have a lower sensitivity rating than other speakers that I am considering also.

89 db seems to be average.

But is a drop down to 86 db speakers very bad?

A 3dB spl sensitivity drop means that you need twice the power from an amp to play at the same loudness. Every 3 dB difference is a factor of two. If you want it 3dB louder, you need twice the power. 3dB spl is not that much of a change, especially at either end of the audio spectrums where the ear is less sensitive to level changes

 

[MacManNM]

Ah, a feeling. It would be better to know, wouldn't it?

So you are going to follow me around and take shots at my posts now? That's real mature.

 

[Privateer]

mtrycrafts, you are deaf so piss off.

 

[MacManNM]

mtrycrafts, you are deaf so piss off.

LOL.

Next time do you think you could tell us how you really feel?

 

[annunaki]

Guys let's not use the public forums for personal attacks. If you wish to "duke it out" please use PMs.

 

[miklorsmith]

Good question!

I personally love high-efficiency speakers, even with their quirks. They do some things that I haven't heard out of lower-efficiency offerings. For purposes of my comments, all your listed options would qualify as low efficiency. I would say high efficiency starts around 92 or 93 db. My main speakers have a 101 db rating and they crank ridiculously with 6 watts.

That said, it isn't everything. I just bought (en route) a pair of VMPS monitors for my living room arrangement that rate at 90 db.

Within the range you cite, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Also, I'm probably regarded as something of an eccentric around here, so take with a shaker of salt.

 

[nm2285]

You ask, "how important is sensitivity?" I ask, what "amp do you have?" With most decent amps, you shouldn't have a problem with any of the speakers you listed. I used a Denon AVR-1604 (75 watt) and a JVC 100watt combo receiver/dvd player to drive NHT SB2s for a while (not together of course). Then I moved to a NAD C370 (120watts of REAL power). The NAD was obviously better, but really only at higher volumes. It was better able to control the drivers. Sound quality was not terribly different at lower volumes.

You should really worry about sensitivity if combined with low impedence.

 

[Privateer]

Guys let's not use the public forums for personal attacks. If you wish to "duke it out" please use PMs.

You do not understand I think that mtrycrafts is physicaly deaf yet he argues on an audio forum about how things sound.

 

[mulester7]

.....Privateer, please do us the decency to at least be vague, haha.....

 

[abqhudson]

Dynamics.

To my ears, speakers with higher efficiency seem to have better dynamics and speakers with lower efficiency always seem a bit more laid back to me. Higher efficiency speakers just seem to be able to keep up with transients better. No flames - just my opinion.

Jim

 

[Ohmage]

To my ears, speakers with higher efficiency seem to have better dynamics and speakers with lower efficiency always seem a bit more laid back to me. Higher efficiency speakers just seem to be able to keep up with transients better. No flames - just my opinion.

Jim

You may not be far off with your thoughts. Bass notes require a surge of power from your amp to sound adequately; if your speakers have a low sensitivity, then you better have a powerful amp with alot of reserves when those bass notes hit. So obviously, low sensitivity speakers require a more powerful amp to sound dynamic and distortion free. It is all about control of those bass frequencies.

Ohmage.

 

[Racercarp]

High sensitivity

Hi,
Just a thought but whatever sensitivity speakers you choose to use should be mated with the receiver or amp you are looking at using them with. The sensitivity rating is how many watts it takes to drive a certain speaker (typically 1W at 1mv) to a certain level (or spl) so an 86bd speaker will take more power to drive efficiently than say an 89db speaker (and less so for a 92db speaker).
It's a strange formula but it takes expotentially more power to drive just a small difference in db rating speakers. So for instance it may take 50W to drive 89db speakers to 100db (sound pressure level) when it will take roughly 100W to drive 86db speakers to the same sound pressure level...
Take this into consideration if you have just a receiver or integrated amp!
Racercarp-
Audiophile from Seattle...