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Audiogon member suggestions for a speaker that sounds good at low volume!!!

I am looking for speaker suggestions (new or used) in the $1000-$4000 range that sound good at low volume (45-50db).  I listen to mostly jazz and classical music late at night while everyone else is sleeping so the volume is low.  My current speakers are Vandy 2CE sigs and they sound good at higher volume levels but I listen most critically, at low volume and hope to do better.  My amp is a Classe CT-2300 with a Classe CP-800 preamp. I have a larger room 20ft X 20ft but seldom listen to music loud. Monitor of floor standing is fine.  

I understand the limitation of human hearing (Fletcher-Munson Curve) and also an appreciation of the synergy of speaker design, speaker placement and room effects.  Anyone out there have a speaker they like at low volume?

Thank you in advance.


128x1282tuby
unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
978 posts
 
Altec, or as someone else said about another brand, Altec Altec Altec.

Specifically, the Altec 604’s. I use the C and the D. They are 101db efficiency at 16 ohms. 

I’ve been using them for 40 years, but over the last 3 months with a Velodyne 15” sub, that has made a huge difference. 

I drive the Altecs with a pair of the NY Audiolab Julius Futterman OTL3s that have been converted to triode by Jon Specter, a former engineer at NY Audiolabs. They are 90 Watts each. 
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joshcondie
3 posts
 
I have to amplify all the calls for Tannoy at low volumes.  I've never owned a pair, but a friend had some active Tannoys that were larger bookshelfs.  They never played them loud, always background levels.  Whenever we had dinner at their place, I was always struck by the balanced sound they emitted at low volume levels.  Really drew me in, to the point of distraction from our conversations.  Was nice.

I have Dynaudio Contour 20s, which I love, but low volume listening is not their strong-suit.  Could also be a amp-matching issue as well.  Best of luck.
fleschler
2,007 posts
 
Funny thing is that I've heard my friends AvantGarde Trios with triple basshorns which are 110db efficient; however, they don't sound good unless played moderately loud.  My own setup allows me to hear my music softly at 70-80db, moderate and usual at 80 to 90db and loud up to 100db peaks.  My speakers are 4.5 way 98db efficient Legacy Focus in a 4500 cuft room.   I would like to experience better softer quieter sound but the Fletcher-Munson curve would require some eq which I don't have or want.  I found that the improvement in my room acoustic treatment and cabling permits 70-80db listening with excellent results.   Also, type of music.  Rock just doesn't sound great at soft listening levels while small scale classical, jazz and pop generally do.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
I can easily set up my horns to fail at low levels by over powering them or by mismatching levels. I make my statement about horns functioning better at lower levels after having much experance setting up systems I dont make it based on what my friends system sounds like but my own and the ones Ive designed or set up on a profesional level. 
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