Why Don't We See More High Current Electronics?

Mapman, these newer Class D amps with their relatively inexpensive, diminutive dimensions, cool running, high current, high powered prowess just might free up speaker designers from the limitations of meeting the criterion of high efficiency speakers. The future just might be the opposite of what you predicted.

unsound,

Could be.

Regardless of which approach makes more headway, more efficient amps or more efficient speakers efficiency always rules when it comes to doing more for less.

I suspect a consumer has more and perhaps also more cost effective options regarding speakers currently building around a high efficiency amp like a Class D than one does going the high efficiency speaker route, especially if one cares about good full range performance and not giving up the lowest octaves.

Mapman, that depends on what your defining as more and what your defining as less.

I suspect your suspicions are spot on.

I have been considering trying a lower powered tube integrated in my second system where I already have a decent sub and fairly efficient tube friendly speakers (triangle Titus XS) currently driven to good effect at up to moderate volume by a "flea powered" 20 watt vintage Yamaha receiver. A similar 20 watts or so of soft clipping tube power might be a nice step forward. My inefficient but sweet sounding Stax sr-80 electret "earspeakers" I use on that system might benefit as well.

Your Stax "ear speakers" are, ehem, a different can of worms.