High Efficiency Speakers Your top 3 or more

Isn't it true in general that the higher the efficiency of speakers, the more sensitive they are (in general) to minor variations in the signal fed them?

I've always assumed that deficient setup is the reason why many do not take to Avantgardes, because they are perhaps one of the hardest designs to get set up right.

Some may take to them just due to their "avantgarde" appearance alone and not have the ears or will or ability to set them up correctly.

I'd be surprised if I would not take to their sound assuming they have been setup well. I would also not be surprised if the setup in many cases chased me out of the room.

Proper set up is key for most speakers, just perhaps to the max for a design like Avantgarde, which push efficiency specs to the limit I believe.

Tvad, the Audionote speakers IMHO do not represent high efficiency speakers, although I do like them once Peter has set them up.

Mmike84, My favorite high efficiency speakers are: the Beauhorn Virtuousos and the Exemplar tractrix horns. I also thought the old Maxhorn using Feastrex drivers was excellent. I am once again out of my high efficiency and SET period and back to my modest efficiency multiple driver with fairly powerful SS amp period. What I really want is a single, one inch, full-range driver capable of 20-20k Hz speaker that is 103 db efficient. I haven't found any:)

03-28-10: Tbg
Tvad, the Audionote speakers IMHO do not represent high efficiency speakers, although I do like them once Peter has set them up.

Tbg, your opinion doesn't matter to me.

Audio Note factory specs on the AN-E/SPe HE are 98dB/w/m.

If the OP's dB/w/m requirement rises above 98dB, then consider the speakers removed from consideration.

Going back near the top of the thread, Mmike84 defined his dB/w/m requirement as:

03-25-10: Mmike84
Let's say 92 db or higher and preferably at least 6 ohms avg.

So, for the purposes of this thread, the AN-E/SPe HE qualify.

Interestingly, the AN-E were only one of three speakers I mentioned, and they weren't placed as the "best" I've heard, yet they are under the spotlight, I suppose because I own them. For many reasons, I can't (or won't) purchase the "best" I've heard in many audio categories.

I mentioned the "best" being the CAR T1.3 with field coil drivers. I also listed Coincident loudspeakers (pick a model...).

Not a mention of those mega expensive 'Acapella Triolon Excalibur MK II' speakers from anyone?