2. speakers
  3. 1158112679

Ribbons. Electrostatics. Planar speakers. Confusio

I'm not sure that I understand the difference between one and the other and the other. Some years ago, I owned a pair of Apogee Centaur Minors and then later a pair of Apogee Stages. I've heard (but not owned) Martin-Logans. I've not heard these things called Quads (and others?) of their ilk. I presently own a pair of B&W 805 Signatures, which I do quite enjoy -- at medium to higher volume levels. But I miss a little something, especially at lower listening levels from the days when I had some Apogees in my world -- and in my living room. If I were hoping for a bit of late night, low-level fun again -- as I'm sure my neighbors would wish -- do I want ribbons again? Or planars? Or (whatever they ar) electrostatics? I obviously don't understand all the stuff that you good folk do. So I'l ask this, too: Could it be my passive "preamp" that makes listening at low levels so, um, dull? Is there a more normal speaker -- a non-esoteric model -- that might work for enjoying Steely Dan in an apartment at midnight without waking the neighbors? Or for at least enjoying Steely Dan, the neighbors be (Steely ) Danned? Thanks.
hodu
rodman99999
6,163 posts
 
There's something called the, "Fletcher-Munson Effect" that defines how one's hearing response varies with acoustic(DB)level. As in: Less sensitive to lows and highs at lower volume levels. That's why some equipment(usually mid-fi) will be found with a, "loudness contour" of some kind. You didn't give much info to go on, with regard to your system. I was using a Placette Passive Linestage, between my Cary SLM-100s and BAT VK-D5 for awhile. The transparency/musicality was wonderful at all volume levels. The passive shouldn't be depriving you of anything. It's probably that the B&Ws aren't the most efficient speakers out there, and don't, "wake up" at low power levels. Planars are usually mid-efficient systems as well(86db/1W/1M, or thereabouts, in general) and (as much as I love them, having owned Acoustat Mod IIIs, and a few Maggies) probably wouldn't avail you much at lower levels. Audition some higher efficiency speakers(90db/1W/1M or better)at low listening levels. There are some fairly efficient systems out there with ribbon-type tweeters. The option is finding a pre that induces no personality of it's own, and yet offers some bass/treble boost at lower listening levels(good luck).
rodman99999
6,163 posts
 
I should qualify that last post. Most resistor based passives(at least- the ones I had researched) are ladder type, and keep a fairly constant resistance presented to the source. Even the Creek(inexpensive) uses an attenuator that presents a constant impedance.
rodman99999
6,163 posts
 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher-Munson_curves) Here's a site that explains the effect I was referring to. Just FYI! If your passive pre were the problem(or it's impedance presented to the source), it would sound the same- regardless of the volume level.
More to discover