Audiogon member suggestions for a speaker that sounds good at low volume!!!

I have to amplify all the calls for Tannoy at low volumes.  I've never owned a pair, but a friend had some active Tannoys that were larger bookshelfs.  They never played them loud, always background levels.  Whenever we had dinner at their place, I was always struck by the balanced sound they emitted at low volume levels.  Really drew me in, to the point of distraction from our conversations.  Was nice.

I have Dynaudio Contour 20s, which I love, but low volume listening is not their strong-suit.  Could also be a amp-matching issue as well.  Best of luck.

Funny thing is that I've heard my friends AvantGarde Trios with triple basshorns which are 110db efficient; however, they don't sound good unless played moderately loud.  My own setup allows me to hear my music softly at 70-80db, moderate and usual at 80 to 90db and loud up to 100db peaks.  My speakers are 4.5 way 98db efficient Legacy Focus in a 4500 cuft room.   I would like to experience better softer quieter sound but the Fletcher-Munson curve would require some eq which I don't have or want.  I found that the improvement in my room acoustic treatment and cabling permits 70-80db listening with excellent results.   Also, type of music.  Rock just doesn't sound great at soft listening levels while small scale classical, jazz and pop generally do.

I can easily set up my horns to fail at low levels by over powering them or by mismatching levels. I make my statement about horns functioning better at lower levels after having much experance setting up systems I dont make it based on what my friends system sounds like but my own and the ones Ive designed or set up on a profesional level. 

I listened for years (at low and mid volume) to a Classe amp mated with Von Schweikert VR1 monitors (with upgraded internal wiring) and a Velodyne subwoofer (with remote control.) The sub was used primarily to enhance spatial imaging and secondarily to augment bass. A sub is critical even at low volumes to improve soundstaging and imaging of monitors.  I’ve also enjoyed Tannoy and KEF monitors and found “concentric drivers” work well in this application. As you’ve already stated, high efficiency speakers do not necessarily equate to sounding good at low level listening. I’ve also got a pair of old Coral BX 200 speakers with alnico magnets that sound great at low level listening for classical and jazz. They can be picked up for around $100 on eBay (you can hardly go wrong trying the Corals.)  I have an environment now that allows for higher listening levels, but if I had to go back to lower level listening I would definitely audition the Von Schweikert Unifield Two MkIII. 

I'd like to audition the Von Schweikert VR-55K and the Lumenwhite Kyara, both high efficiency, easy to drive speakers which could play quietly and beautifully.