Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody
It takes 10 times the amplifier power to effect a 3dB gain. That's why a 3dB gain is so significant in speaker efficiency. Which is easier and least expensive to achieve more volume, buy a speaker that is 3dB more efficient or buy an amp 10 times as large? It's a fact 3dB is double the sound, that may not be audible to you, but it's a world of difference to my ears.
Wow, if it takes 10 times the power to get a 3dB gain, you've got some dreadfully inefficient components.

With all respect to the good Mr. Peabody (a respected site regular) I think his statements prove Skeptic's point very nicely.
With all the statistical figures, logarithmic functions, and mathematical interdependance of stereo components, it's pretty easy to get lost in the specs really quick. Everyone is capable of making honest interpretive mistakes. And the fact that manufacturer's love to make interpreting their figures a bit harder doesn't help either.