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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?
Ag insider logo xs@2xdrubin
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.
henryhk
648 posts
 
other things being equal, it probably makes sense to focus on speakers that imaging champs if you mainly listen low levels....will able to "hear" more detail and depth than usual....this may also mean a narrower sweet spot so need to be consider.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin OP
3,274 posts
 
Interesting point, Henry.

I am now evaluating a CD player with excellent built-in attenuation, so I am trying it direct to amp. What I am hearing lends credence to Stehno's position about amplification, because the sound is so pure and the background so quiet that the music and detail shine through even at very low levels. I think that detail is a real key to low-volume listening.
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