Newbie with a question about speaker sensitivity

[Dylan]

Hi everyone, I'm very new to DIY audio, and I regestered here hoping I could get some help with future projects. I didn't know if this particular post is best suited for the Tube Amp forum or this one, so I hope I put it in the right place.

When my grandparents moved into a new apartment, they gave me their Polk Audio model 10 speakers since they were getting smaller ones. I've tried to find information on these, but I haven't had any luck. Can anyone tell me the sensitivity of these speakers?

I'm planning to build this:
http://www.angela.com/catalog/how-to/JE_Labs/PP_2A3/
as my first DIY audio project, and I've heard that 2A3/6A3 amps work best with sensitive speakers, since the output power is only a few watts. I'd like to know if it will work well with my Polk 10's, or if I should DIY myself some speakers too!

I'm sure as I learn more, this hobby is going to eat every last penny I have.

Thank you for any help!

 

[navin]

going from memory (are these sort of large speaker too large for bookshelf to small for a stand so much so that Polk used to advertise them on a short stand) i think they were 90db/1w when placed against a back wall 87db/1W out in the room. many of plok's speakers we designed to be placed against the back wall. the 10 if i rememeber correctly had a 10" PR, 2 x 6" side by side and a 1" dome on a rectangular faceplate.

 

[Dylan]

Thanks for your reply!

The speakers you explain are exactly what I have. I've been lurking around the forums for the past few days, and I'm trying to learn all about this hobby. Based on what I've seen, 90dB/w sounds decent.

Now I have another question. Would these speakers (in good condition with the stands) bring much if I were to sell them? I'm thinking I might like to try to get some cash from them in order to finance future DIY projects.

Already I have the urge to DIY some monsters with the 96dB/w coaxial driver mentioned in the "Lost in home audio" thread.

Thank you again!

 

[Josephjcole]

I couldn't tell you how much you would get if you sold them... however I would recomend you find a speaker with higher effeciency for your new amp. 90Db is not bad, but with less than five watts I would look for something more in the 94Db or higher. You can certainly enjoy music on less sensitive speakers, but more effecient speakers would be better, more dynamic.
Joe

 

[Dylan]

Thank you for your input, Joe.

I'm already planning some new speakers (the ones I mentioned above).

 

[navin]

I'd recomend Madisound BK16 kit for this purpose or a 6-8" fostex fullrange in a horn.