Not sure about sepex motors, but I know that PM motors get a good hit to efficiency when the airgap is larger.
My guess is that sepex motors have higher overall efficiencies as compared to series motors, but have the advantage that KV can be increased on the fly so that starting torque and efficiency can be kept high. As the field is weakened the torque and efficiency should decrease. Trying to find some resources for info on variable field motors, but can't seem to dig up much on efficiency curves.