A strange sensitivity case

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Hi everybody. Yesterday I've tried two kind of drivers, Lowther PM6C vs. Voxativ Ac-2.8 On the paper Voxativ have a 4-5 dB greater sensitivity respect Lowther, but mounted on the same cabinet (Acousta 116), with the same system, CD track and amplifier gain, they sound LESS LOUD. Can anybody explain me this strange result?
Many thanks in advance
Ziocalepino
 
Taken from the net:

VOXATIV AC-2.8
Technical Data :
Frequency response : 20 - 20.000 Hz
Efficiency : 99 dB / 1W / 1 m
Capacity : 50 W nom / 100 W mus
Impedance [R] : 10,5 Ohm
Complex impedance [Z] : 16,0 Ohm
Resonance frequency : 43,0 Hz
Mechanical Q-factor Qms : 3,31
Electrical Q-factor Qes : 0,40
Q-factor Qts : 0,36
Equivalent volume [VAS] : 66,0 Ltr
Xmss : 3 mm
Depth : 7,5 cm
Install diameter : 7,5" / 19,0 cm
Weight : 4,8 kg

Lowther PM6C

[SIZE=-1]DC Resistance of Voice Coil [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Re [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]7.4 ohms[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Free Air Resonance [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Fo [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]45 Hz[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Emission Piston Area [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Sd [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]0.021M²[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Equivalent Volume Suspension [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Vas [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]56.046 Ltrs[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Suspension Compliance [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Cms [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]894.981 u M/N[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Mass of Cone [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Mmd [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]11.0 g[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Mass of Moving Parts [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Mms [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]12.75 g[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Force Factor [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Bl [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]7.246 T-M[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Mechanical Q Factor [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Qms [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]4.788[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Electrical Q Factor [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Qes [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]0.510[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Total Q Factor [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Qts [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]0.461[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Voice Coil Inductance @ 1 kHz [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Le [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]87.723 uH[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Reference Efficiency [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]No [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]1.11%[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Sound Pressure Level [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]SPL [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]92.473 Db[/SIZE]
 
The Voxativ data set isn't particularly comprehensive, but from what is available, sensitivity would appear to be about 93dB 1m/w or 91.9dB 1m 2.83v, not 99dB. Lowther's published data is much more consistent for the stated sensitivity value.

So the data doesn't support any definitive conclusions, other than that the Voxativ SPL figure does not appear to agree with the rest of the technical information they publish. There are a number of possible reasons for this; it can only really be a matter of speculation though unless both units can be measured with the same equipment to ensure consistent methodology. There could be a measurement, or a typographical error. They could be taking the SPL value as the maximum it attains at one point rather than a derivation from its electromechanical properties. And so on & so forth. Or it could be something completely different. Which brings us to why the Voxativ should sound quieter than the Lowther when they appear in practice to be much of a muchness in terms of outright sensitivity. Again, we can only speculate without more data. Here's one possibility: most Lowther units have significant peaking above ~5KHz, so if the Voxativ has an inherently flatter FR, that might be what is happening. Alternatively, the technical data from one or both manufacturers might be significantly out from what is actually the case; if that is so, then the Lowther may indeed simply have greater efficiency (& thereby sensitivity) than the Voxativ. As I say, without actually measuring both drivers on the same gear to find out what is really happening, it's not going to be possible to obtain a conclusive answer.
 
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