2. speakers
  3. 167757-93216

Recommendations for speakers that sound great at lower volume levels.

I have a pair of Harbeth SHL5 Plus and they sound wonderful when I crank them up. But at moderate to low volume levels they sound disappointingly flat and unengaging - instruments are less palpable, bass has less bloom, and soundstage has less air and dimensionality. I drive my speakers with a tube integrated - a Line Magnetic 845 rated at 26 watts of power. My Harbeths are rated at 86db. Would a higher sensitivity speaker be helpful? Or how about a good quality small shoebox sized pair of speakers coupled with a subwoofer? Or not. What speakers are going to deliver music you can feel at low volume levels? What say all you wisened audiophiles?
128x128neptune123
speakermaster
738 posts
 
You want a big full range high sensitivity high impedance system for a good low volume experience or a high quality two way with a good subwoofer where you can adjust the bass for any volume level so you can have a full sound at low volumes but it will not compete with a large system when the music gets challenging or gets played at a higher volume level.
neptune123's avatar
neptune123 OP
24 posts
 
Thanks to all for your thoughtful responses. I think I'll go with a more sensitive speaker. Perhaps the BBC monitor style and hook them up with my REL. Happy listening.
tweak1
3,671 posts
 
Another consideration is what digital cable are you using?

In the last 2 weeks I swapped out my optical cable for coax. If you're price conscious, check out Audio Advisor who has a sale on Pangea: I started with a 1.0m, then a 1.5m (which to my ears sounded better), and now using their 1.5m XL, which allows me to play at lower volumes as the music is more intimate, BUT, I can also play louder $150/1.5m XL and free shipping!

hth
mozartfan
2,143 posts
 
Don't forget to at least conisder wide band high sensitivity speakers, Great at low vol, 
ronres
48 posts
 
Of the loudspeakers I have experimented with specifically listening to at low volume the loudspeaker I have found to be the most enjoyable at low volume is the Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX (and I am a life-long planar speaker person).
More to discover