Speaker Efficiency

[lumstar]

So I'm just wondering what defines an efficient speaker? How can I tell how efficient my speakers are? In the D class forum they talk about the fact that a Tripath amp can drive efficient speakers to relatively high volume levels. However, I don't know what defines speaker efficiency.

Thanks!

[gmilitano]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudspe...vs_sensitivity

Something to start you off

Cheers

[chrisb]

from above wikipedia citation

An unusual 3-way speaker system. The cabinet is narrow to reduce a diffraction effect called the 'baffle step'.

emphasis mine,


anyone, anyone, .... Bueller?



I read it on the internets, so it must be true

[Scottmoose]

Ah, wikipedia. The font of all wisdom & knowledge.

[kristleifur]

I trust that the old boys' club here at the Full Range forum has gone and fixed up the Wikipedia article?

Anyway, sorry for the OT:
In short, efficiency is a quantification of how many dB the speaker puts out with a certain number of watts.

Then, technically unrelated to speaker efficiency, but important in practice, some amplifiers like certain speaker impedances much better than others. Since you mentioned Tripath amps, most of them love 4 Ohm impedances, and only put out half as much power into 8 Ohms.

[Geek]

Originally posted by Scottmoose
Ah, wikipedia. The font of all wisdom & knowledge.

And still more accurate than most of the printed encyclopedia's out there


Speakers are all about tradeoffs. You can get really high efficiency, usually at the expense of bass and Xmax (linear cone excursion).

A speaker of same dimensions for example rated 95dB will sound just as loud with 1 watt as a common 85dB speaker will at 10 watts. BUT... the 85dB speaker may be able to go to 50Hz, while the 95dB one to 120Hz in the same cab.

Cheers!

[Scottmoose]

Originally posted by Geek
[B]

And still more accurate than most of the printed encyclopedia's out there

Tell that to the majority of naval historians out there...

[chrisb]

Originally posted by Scottmoose


Tell that to the majority of naval historians out there...

Is there a doctor in the house?

Hello, doctor - why does it hurt when I pe?

[lumstar]

That certainly clears things up! Thanks for the help ppl.

[chrisb]

Originally posted by lumstar
That certainly clears things up! Thanks for the help ppl.

Actually, on balance there's some good stuff in the article that could be considered a jr high school primer on the subject.