Small speaker efficiency.

[barnacle bill]

For the most part it seems small speaker aren't very efficient, there are exceptions of course.

Why is this?

[AmDismal]

Physics.

[Pac67]

For the most part it seems small speaker aren't very efficient, there are exceptions of course.

Why is this?

Its fairly straightforward really. You can get high efficiencies on the mid and high frequencies from small speakers as the speaker/air impedance matching allows for more efficient coupling but not when they have to reproduce low notes. The lower the frequency, the greater the impedance mis-match between speaker and the air it couples with and being a small speaker, to move the amount of air to reproduce low notes can only be done by making the drivers long throw and making the enclosures and port sizes large enough to reinforce the frequency extension (moving more air). Looking at the efficiency of many smallish stand mounters, they convert more than 99% of their input power into heat lost through the voice coils, compared with say 95% for a much larger speaker, so they're less efficient. In general terms, speaker efficiency is more relevant to low frequency performance for this reason.

[AmDismal]

Efficiency, size, bass - perm any two from three.

[i_should_coco]

Physics.

It's the law.

[AmDismal]

Like Judge Dredd, but without the sympathy.

[i_should_coco]

Like Judge Dredd, but without the sympathy.

Quite. Mother Nature cares not for your chinless woofers and tragic dome tweeters.

[Chumpy]

Suck it and see - I have heard little 'uns outperform more sensitive big buggers even in big airy areas - be safe/happy. Loudness often isn't better.