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Which speakers excel at low volume?

I do much of my listening at lower volumes than I imagine most of you do: 60-70db for me much of the time. I understand why many speakers are designed to sound correct at live-music levels, and the hell with how they sound at lower levels. But that doesn't work for me. I need a speaker that resolves details, conveys proper tone and timbre, expresses microdynamics, and has a respectable balance, including a sense of weight, even at low volume. (Low volume does not mean low amplifier power.) This is an aspect of loudspeaker performance that is rarely addressed in reviews. It must be that most audiophiles don't care about it, or that reviewers feel it is not a criterion that loudspeakers are or should be designed for. Fair enough, but I still want what I want.

I used to have original Quad electrostatics, which were terrific at low volume. My ProAc Response 2.5s aren't bad (though they don't resolve detail too well even at high volume). The Thiel 1.6 is pretty good, the 2.4 less so.

What have you heard, particularly in dynamic speakers, that fits my requirements?
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stehno
1,453 posts
 
I think looking for the right amplification will do far more for you than looking for the right speaker.

With the right amplification, most any speaker will sound a whole lot more efficient, rich, detailed, and full even at lower volumes.

With the wrong amplification, it matters little which speaker you choose. Regardless of volume.

-IMO
onemug
784 posts
 
I think Aroc and Stehno are both right. When I had some Soundlabs the low level detail was astounding with some pushpull tubes. On some multidrivers a single ended pure class A amp brought out more detail at lower levels. Marry the 2 and enjoy. I'm pretty new to the SET/single driver-no crossover idea and like it more each day. Besides the detail, the sound stays balanced at the low level.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I have Innersound Eros and they are great at low level
cdc
1,781 posts
 
Pick a speaker that CAN"T play loud. Speakers that play loud are a compromise when all you need is quite listening levels.
I agree about x-overless designs. Try Epos M12/M15; single driver Fostex, Jordan or paper driver speakers like the old Virgo II's.
emailists
923 posts
 
My take on this subject-

The PS audio GCC-100 amp is great at low volumes becuase there is no volume control in the signal path. Even my excellent tech labs Bob Crump built vol pots in my spectral pre-amp dont sound as transparent as the GCC- and especially at low volumes.

2- go with mini monitors and a powered sub. That way you can compensate for fletcher Munson curve, etc by bring the subs higher giving a full sound at low volumes.
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