tonistry.

Specs & measurements

Efficiency

Also called efficient, easy to drive

Efficiency is how much sound a transducer produces from the electrical power it is given. In everyday use it means the same as sensitivity: an efficient headphone or speaker plays loud from a small amplifier.

electrical power inin the speakerheat: over 98%sound: under 2%
Strictly, efficiency is the share of electrical power a speaker turns into sound. For loudspeakers it is usually under 2 percent: nearly all of the amplifier’s power becomes heat, which is why sensitivity in decibels is the figure quoted instead.

Strictly, efficiency is a percentage of power converted to sound, and for loudspeakers it is tiny, usually under 2 percent. Nobody quotes it that way; Sensitivity in decibels is the practical figure.

High-efficiency speakers, such as horn designs rated above 95 dB, are favored by owners of low-powered tube amplifiers. Low-efficiency designs, including many planar headphones, need a more capable Amplifier but are not worse for it.

Related terms