What can go wrong with 87dB sensitivity speakers?

[StormNinjaPenguin]

I'm planning to build the CSS Criton 1TD-X Kit (87 dB @ 2.83 V) and I would love to build the Stereomour II with it but I keep seeing the warning to only to use this amp with high sensitivity speakers. I would use them in a small room in a near-field setup and (over-) estimating the power with an online calculator, I should need about 0.5 watts to drive the speakers on normal listening levels.

Are there other considerations than volume for why is this pairing not a good idea, or should it be okay?

 

[Paul Birkeland]

We have had a ton of customers use small 87dB speakers with the Stereomour happily.  The Criton looks like it has a broad range in the impedance curve at 6 ohms, but with the Stereomour specifically I think I would leave the amp setup for 8 ohms and not worry about it.  If you're not in a very large room, you'll likely be pleasantly surprised by what's available from this combo.

 

[StormNinjaPenguin]

Great, thanks for the answer!

 

[Doc B]

FWIW we use a Stereomour 2 with Blumenstein Orcas in our dining/kitchen at home. The FE83s in the Orcas are rated for around 87dB (seems optimistic but I have not measured them to say otherwise). The system plays plenty loud for our needs at modest level settings.

 

[DustDoggy]

Im using the Criton 1TDX with the stereomour in a small apartment and the combination sounds amazing. Had to use some foam port plugs though to tame the bass due to one speaker being too close to a corner (these speakers really do go very low). Also just installed the shunt regulator and would 100% recommend it. No issues at all with lack of volume but in a much bigger room I could understand needing more power.

 

[StormNinjaPenguin]

@DustDoggy - that’s my dream setup! I hope the world is not gonna collapse again before I save up for it.

 

[IndyNate]

My experience in the real world has been TRY the speaker out and listen before you read anything. Impedence/sensitivity are rarely indicative of what your experience will be.