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How to shop for speakers?

OK, I've got the upgrade bug. My problem is how to evaluate speaker auditions given the limited local choices and the inevitable differences in amplification, room, etc. I have a local dealer who will let me do home audition, but he does not carry 4 of the 5 brands I am interested in after attending RMAF. He is even getting the mfgr to send a pair for my audition. My problem is how do I judge the various speakers given the variability in listening environments and the time lapses between listening. Buying used for home auditioning and selling what I do not like does not seem practical to me given the price range I am looking at - not much available used in this range and too much potential for significant loss with each transaction. Besides what if I sell one I later decide was the best.

My short list after attending RMAF:

B&W 800d or 802d - not so impressed after dealer demo
Dynaudio Confidence C4 - waiting for dealer to get one for demo
Wilson Sasha or Sophia3 - was blown away by the soundstage of the Sophias at RMAF
I would like to audition Revel Salons or Studios or Sonus Faber Elipsa but local dealers are installers and do not have demo capability

My favorite at RMAF was JM Labs Maestro Utopia but they are out of my price range new.

Amplification is McIntosh MC501 ( this makes me a non-audiophile since I read in another thread that audiophiles do not use Mac equipment - I'm fine with that since I really like the music more than the equipment). But, I would like to hook up a MC275 during the hot summer months to listen at low to moderate levels.o

Not sure if this is a gripe or a request for advice, but I will appreciate any guidance that is offered other than the usual " you listen and decide" I already appreciate that.
altbrewer
honest1
572 posts
 
Tim - I think Atmasphere is right - efficinecy refers to how much power something consumes, and power is measured in watts. Sensitivity refers to how much something is affected by an input. Audio equipment, when run in its normal operating range, acts like a voltage source, so the input to a power amp or a speaker is a voltage signal. The output is then the sensitivity of that speaker to the voltage input.
timlub
1,649 posts
 
Hi Honest1,
Agreed, I understand where you are coming from. I don't understand the argument. Sensitivity is rated @ 1 watt 1 meter regardless of a speakers impedance, as everyone has discussed above. It takes varying degrees of voltage to derive the power rating of 1 watt depending on the resistance of the speaker. It is the voltage that changes to measure 1 watt. The power rating of 1 watt is what we measure sensitivity. Varying degrees of voltage change the efficiency. I've had my head on backwards more than once. Either way, I have talked with Ralph and appreciate him, I have no doubt that we both understand the concept. Good Listening, Tim
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
Strictly speaking, neither interpretation of "efficiency" is correct. "Efficiency" would most properly be defined as acoustic power out vs. electrical power in.

However since both "efficiency" and "sensitivity" are being used in reference to acoustic PRESSURE, rather than power ("spl" = "sound pressure level"), it would seem that using "efficiency" to refer to the ratio of spl to electrical power input, rather than voltage input, would come closest to the correct usage.

And I believe that is the most widely accepted usage. Although the terms tend to be used so loosely and interchangeably that insisting on one definition or the other is probably pointless as a practical matter.

Best regards,
-- Al
timlub
1,649 posts
 
Thanks Al, I had quoted my buddy Ed above, he had told me pretty much the same as you, saying no one on the forum has argued this in absolute terms and it really doesn't matter in the context that you are using it and overall would do nothing to further anyone. So as you can see, he just laid out how it is created in a conventional driver. Good Listening, Tim
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