High vs. Low Efficiency Speakers

Agree with Duke's excellent assessment but I might add that one might not need super efficient, "big box" speakers in this scenario. A speaker with efficiency in the 90 to 95 range would work quite well with low powered tube amps and have good, appropriate bass. A couple speakers that come to mind are Coincident, Reference 3a, Meadowlark, Merlin and Living Voice. All are average size speakers.

To quote Ralph Karsten of Atma-Sphere: "...if you want a tube amp, even if you don't want an OTL, you should avoid four ohm speakers. " cf. "Debunking Common Power Amplifier Myths"

I do not think it is possible to generalize. I have heard a few high efficiency speakers: Lowther, Tannoy, Avantgarde, and Zu. And I have heard a few low efficiency speakers as well.

In general, low efficiency speakers have a brutal kind of sound. These are typically very linear sounding, with ample bass. The sound from these speakers are typically very impressive. But as we all know, impressive does not necessarily mean they are musical.

The high efficiency speakers I have heard, without exception, suffered from problems. The Tannoys have a lazy coloration that kills the rhythm of music. The Zu's sound distant and uninvolving. The Avantgardes have horn coloration. The Lowthers are beautiful, but lack treble and bass extension. (Yes, I know this is a gross generalization but it is based on the systems I have heard).

Of all the high efficiency speakers I have heard, the Lowthers impressed me the most. But that is my particular musical taste (classical). YMMV.

To echo Duke's take on dynamic contrast. I used to own lower efficiency speakers (Sonus Faber Extrema, Dynaudio Confidence 5), despite their fine sound quality, it takes mega watts to create the jump factor that mimics live music. I later moved to higher efficiency speakers, not 95db but something real world in the 90+ range. Now I can run tube amps which sounds better to my ears, more lively, more micro dynamic, more enjoyable.

I was seriously considering MBL speakers for some times, but despite the huge soundstage it creates and superb imaging, it lacks the high efficiency speaker jump factor and I will never be able to run them with tube amps. you know the rest of the story.

for classical music at low volume, I highly recommend high efficiency (95+ db) and SET amp. I can see myself listening to big Tannoy with SET glowing in the background and my face grin from ear to ear.

i own a pair of montana xp speakers they are rated at 92. i think that is pretty efficent and the sound very musical with any kind of music you want to play. they have awsome slamming bass. awsome midrange and treble