Which is better, high sensitivity speakers with low power, or high power with low sensitivity.

Which method is best and why? The modern retro trend is low power valves with high sensitivity speakers, but a friend seems to think the high sensitivity speakers suffer from high distortion and low sensitivity have much better bass, is he right?

I dont really know to be honest.

I personally would say get as much power as you can, as the sensitivity rating on a speaker is normally "nominal" or average, and will often dip well below the rating.

Floor standing speakers tend to be more efficent than standmounts, but I think finding a true high sensitivity speaker of 90db's @ 1m limits limits your choice of speaker.

Best bet, is to buy the best quality amplifier you can afford and look for suitable speakers, or visa versa.

In some ways, I think buying the speaker first and working back is easier, as at least that way, you would have an ideal of what the minimum amount of power you can get away with is.

There is no right and wrong in this situation. The best thing to do imo is buy the best sounding speakers you can afford and then match them up with the best sounding amp you can afford and dont worry too much about sensitivity (within reason). My speakers are 89dB and sound absolutely fine. No High distortion. No problems with the bass. Im running them with a 75w valve amp. The best match i have heard so far is a 40w class A valve amp running into 91db speakers.

This may be worth reading, it doesn't say which is best, but it gives some background information in to the design.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_1_1/v1n1spk.html#Speaker%20Sensitivity