+1 grossman616
I have the Maggie 1.7s, now driving with the very flexible and adjustable Anthem STR. After getting everything dialed in and integrating a pair of subs, listening at low volumes, I couldn't be happier.
BEST SPEAKER THAT COMES TO LIFE AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS
My system is as follows:
- Martin Logan 11A Impressions hybrid electrostatic speakers.
- Bryston 4B3 cubed power amp 300 per channel into 8 and 500 into 4.
- Bryston BP-19 preamp, Chord Qutest Dac & Lumin U2 mini stream.
- SVS subs-pair of SB-4000
- I listen at 55-60 dbs. Can anybody recommend a speaker with a budget of $15,000.00 per pair that sounds alive and dynamic at low listening levels. My dealer sells, Totem, Triangle and Proac.
- Any recommendations would be appreciated. Due to age and ear issues I can listen comfortably at 55-60 dbs and not much louder.
- Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide.
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- 96 posts total
Here is a good idea to investigate: https://www.high-endaudio.com/used_he.html Arthur Savadore is probably the most knowadgeable person I know of in this hobby, and he has a set at your price that may fit your needs perfectly. Any time I've tried anything he has suggested, the performance has been 100% spot on. He considers "sound floor" as his major criteria for evaluating speakers. That sounds like what you are looking for. Personally, I either would not recommend any suggested above that I have heard, or I am totally unfamiliar with the models suggested. The reason being is that you are currently using electrostatics, and I would think that a different build philosophy may get you where you need to go. If you happen to be in Florida, Arthur is based out of there. If you decide to investigate this, tell him "hi" for me, and I haven't forgot about the Ella Fitzgerald review. Hope it goes well! Sincerely, John |
+1 @porchlight1 That is EXACTLY what I've done in my system: I have Maggie 1.7is (modded w/ outboard crossover upgrade--but that's another story), and have the Schitt Lokius sitting between a Prima Luna 300 preamp and a Parasound A21+. Besides an additional 3db boost when "on", the 6 band adjustment make a huge difference w/ low level listening, (actually, any listening), and I can turn it off whenever I choose, easy-peasey. Like you, my normal listening levels are in the 60-65db range. With the Lokius, the bass adjustment allows a full rich sound across the soundstage. I'm very happy to have that unit in the system and eventually I'll move up to the flagship. Good luck! |
This thread got me thinking. Klipschorns were mentioned as sounding good at low volume. I would agree they can be captivating, although not a lot of bass. I think the loudness curve has something to do with it. But the speaker can have flat on-axis response. It just needs a total power response that has a dip in the middle, and I think that's what the k-horns do with that big beamy mid-horn, and that little tweeter up top. So perhaps a smaller speaker with an 8 inch mid-woofer that's crossed over kind of high to a small, wide dispersion tweeter would have similar low volume effect. |
- 96 posts total