Sensitivity Issues

While i don't know know what all the reviews or even Pass Labs will tell you, my experience with Nelson's older designs tells me that your amp should easily deal with lower impedance loads. While his amps may not have as much current as some of the other big boys, they don't "flinch" when put to the test like many other reputable brands that shall remain nameless.

One thing to keep in mind is that the lower you go on speaker impedance, the lower the damping factor will be. If the speakers use a BIG motor structure ( large voice coil & magnet assembly ) or are relatively reactive loads, you can expect less than the best in terms of control and definition.

Since you did not mention room size or types of music that you like to listen to, we're kind of guessing here as to what will work acceptably. As such, shoot us more info and you might get some better info.

I'm assuming that you don't normally try to "raise the roof" since you selected an amp that was rated at 30 wpc. With that in mind, something that is at least 87 db's should be acceptable with something in the low 90's being easier on the amp ( in most cases ). Only problem with this is that many speakers that are more sensitive use some type of bass loading ( port, passive radiator, bass reflex, etc..). As such, they sacrifice bass definition and timbre for extension and "better numbers". Like anything else, there are trade-offs involved in everything and not knowing your preferences makes it difficult to make a valid suggestion. Sean
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Eleonida: Good questions, but no hard fast answers. I have tried out some speaker/amp combos that looked good on paper as far as the manufacturers specs for the equipment went, but that were a total bust. I am running 90db, 4ohm speakers with a 7watt per channel tube amp and the low ohmage does not seem to add the dreaded flab to the bass response, it sound great. I tried running a pair of Linn Tukans with a 50 watt/channel (70+ in reality and 140+ into 4 ohms per the review specs) SS amp and it would not control the low end of the 4 ohm Tukan's. The same amp ran a pair of Reynaud Twins (also 4 ohms) fine. Either the specs are wrong or there is more to it than the numbers. If you can, go for 90db (which is fine) or more (it's a nice range for many amps and rooms), but try to home demo the speakers before you purchase them. If this is not possible then hookup with fellow listeners that have your amp and see what has worked for them. Perhaps list your complete system (with the room size and your current speakers) in this or a new thread and list what you would like to improve. I can't imagine that mismatches like this are commom place, but they do happen and I would hate to see you stuck with one, especially with your wife watching/hearing. I purchased my amp (not my speakers) without an audition, but did so after checking it out with other owner's that I located on the web and everyone else that ever wrote a review or commented on auditioning it.

I have a Pass Aleph-3 and use Paradigm Studio-80's They are 92dB 8ohm.My room 20X 15X 8 I play lots of rock and I get more volume than I need.I does play loud.I know loud is a opinion, but in my opinion, most would say it plays loud if they heard my system.I wouldnt go below 90 dB's with the Pass.I can hear the difference between 1 dB up or down in a speaker.

The Aleph 3 loves the ProAC Tab 50 sigs. Very musical.

I'm on the hunt for a speaker upgrade. My current amp is, well, modest (30 wpc Pass Labs). I've been advised to confine myself to sensitive speakers (more sensitivity in the house has cheered my wife). What range am I looking for, and how big a difference is there in a couple of db's, say 89 and 91? Also, if I drop down in resistance (8 to 6, or even 4 ohms), does this compensate, or do sensitivity figures already take resistance into account?eleonida04-07-2001 10:26am~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whoever gave you the advice to seek out High Sensitive speakers , knows  his stuff. 
I have yet to read the ONLY 3 posts to your Q. 
Which firgures  around here. 
Most folks here do not have a clue what sensitivity means, Ohms, well I am not sure what that means , but can say wide band/high sens speakers are always higher ohms.

Yes each db gain or loss makes  some difference. 
The cutoff twix low efficient and high efficient IMHO is 91db. 
90db represents the high mark in xover designs, and wide band /FR lowest db mark is 91db.
That is to say, all FR/WB start at 91db and rup up past 100db. 
The higher the db level = the superior the wide band. = The higher up the db you go, the more expensive is the driver/speaker. 
High sensitivity comes at a  price.

So  now let me see the 3 lonely responses to your OP