efficient speaker question

madmax

I've often read that if you want a high efficiency speaker you have to give up quality or at least accept quirks somewhere. Why is that? (I don't have any particular quotes in mind).
madmax

Systems

madmax wrote: »

I've often read that if you want a high efficiency speaker you have to give up quality or at least accept quirks somewhere. Why is that? (I don't have any particular quotes in mind).
madmax

Possably because many higher sensitivity speakers in years past used horn loaded mids and tweets which can impart some nasty colourations.But it is possible to design a relatively hi sensitivty speaker without sacrificing quality.

McLoki

I know that with Klipsch speakers (only really efficient speaker I can think of that is still widely sold) you have to be very carefull of amp and preamp choices. I have heard many people complain of extra noise from the amp and preamp that is inaudible with most speakers. I am not sure why or if it noise or some other incompatibility - but that could add some to the quality statement.

Michael

dougy

I don't think you have to sacrifice quality to get quantity (high sensitivity) but it will cost you something. Either a bigger box, reduced bass extension, or as with horns, the possibility of colorations and/or reduced dispersion or "air".

Of course, it's debatable whether that last point is a bad thing or a good thing. Horn devotees will tell you reducing the sounds bouncing around the room will increase clarity of the direct sound from the drivers (true). But on the other hand, fans of wide dispersion sound will swear a more diffuse mid and tweeter radiation will sound more lifelike, and remind you that live sound comes at us from all around. Also true. In other words, pick your poison!

Refefer

I think cost is the main thing. You can certainly get a reference system going if you want to drop a huge amount of money, where as it's easier and cheaper to design a good sounding traditional radiating speakers.

I respect Klipsch quite a lot for keeping with their compression drivers; if I ever go down the road of SET, I'm gonna find me some Klipsch's to enjoy them with.

Yashu

It will certainly cost you if you want horns without colorations. Computer models have shown that there are some rules to follow when making a horn, it must have a certain slope to the opening, and it needs to be perfectly round.

Here is a company that makes extremely good horn speakers, but they will cost you an arm and a leg. http://www.avantgarde-acoustic.com/index1.php?sprache=en

Klipschorns, and they have a modern line using the same designs, they have a sound that many SET owners love. I suppose you could call it an aquired taste. They certainly give you the "volume" that makes low power amps sing.