...bookshelf speakers that sound good at low volume...


Hello to all...

Looking for new bookshelf speakers that sound good at low volume

CD-only listening; powering with 35w/8ohm Monoprice integrated, with silver interconnects; speaker cable home made twisted 14g solid core copper, bare wire connected to JBL L25 "PRIMA" Big 2-ways...

In approx. 14’ x14’ room in apt: multi use area - dining/kitchen/tv-gaming

If dedicated listening: approx 8’away (speaker cabinets 6’ center to center; speakers are not mirror-image const.)

Speakers sound great at medium+ volume - they really sing - but are really muddy and not detailed at low volume.

Options: replace integrated with vintage or new 50-75w/ch (with or without DAC) OR new or vintage bookshelf speakers... budget $500-$1000 max.

Located in Metro NYC area...

At present - I am gonna keep the JBLs: could their low volume presentation change with a better or higher wattage integrated?

I know I am casting a wide net here, not looking for " try it - see how it sounds": looking for experiences and opinions based on trial and errors of others willing to share.

Thanks in advance to all... Best Wishes - Be Well...
insearchofprat
I just bought a pair of the newly released Elac Unifi 2.0 - $600. Using as TV speakers with a vintage 35w NAD receiver and music with CD player. In a similar sized room as yours. They’re 6 ohm @ 85dB sensitivity, but they play plenty loud enough. I wanted a 3-way speaker thinking we'd hear dialogue more clearly. These replace Dynaudio Emit 20 (4 ohm @ 85dB) 2-way and are a noticeable improvement in the midrange.
Out of the box they sounded flat and thin, but with about 60 hours on them now, they sound balanced and dynamic. Very strong bass output and midrange is excellent. High end is clear, not too bright. I almost can’t believe the bass output with bass-heavy music in that smallish room. They sound good at low volume although I do add a smidge of bass when played very softly. I sit about 7 ft away and sometimes read in there with music playing.
I even tried them with my 8w tube amp (no tone control) and found them to sound good with only a slight drop in bass response and dynamics. I’m very happy with them. Haven’t tried them yet in my bigger room, where I use either a Prima luna @40w or a Musical Fidelity @85w.

One of my local dealers recently picked up Fyne Audio. I heard the F500 Bookshelf. Excellent efficient speaker. 89db at 8 ohms. Price $895.
If you look for speakers which sound good at low volume, probably you like vocal or violin recordings and not those with lot of bass. I have owned a number of small speakers before like proac, dynaudio, rogers ls3/5a, celeston S600 etc. They all sound good but what surprised me most is the resale value of ls3/5a. All others would depreciate with time and only ls3/5a would not. I bought mine, a pre-owned pair, with $500 about 10 years ago and sold it for $1500 last year.  Unfortunately, it is not easy to get a cheap pair now.
I agree with the comments about a loudness control on your amp and/or use of the Schiit loki to make adjustments yourself. This option would give you better flexibility. I have also experienced that high sensitivity speakers tend to do better at low volumes but can't really say why. At that budget maybe look at the Klipsch RP600's (https://www.stereophile.com/content/klipsch-reference-premiere-rp-600m-loudspeaker)
Exactly what I was struggling with: enjoying music at low volume. Decided on Schiit Valhalla 2 as pre, icepower 125asx2 class D amp, Audio Nirvana 8" alnico full range drivers and a Martin Logan Abyss for sealed sub. Source is AmazonHD via Audioengine B1. Donald Fagen, Nils Lofgren, Miles Davis, and a hundred others never sounded so good. Doesn't work for everyone, works great for me.