Looking for suggestions on speakers and an integrated amp for a second system.


I will be using these in a medium size room at lower volumes. I listen to female vocals and jazz. I like a softer sound and am open to tubes. I will be buying used and would like to keep the total budget under 3700.00.

Ag insider logo xs@2xpal

IME, that's a hard one, pal.

I have that problem in my office system and use the fairly high efficiency single driver, fostex based, Brines 2000.  They are no longer made, but single driver is a thought, and there are numerous options out there I bet would sound pretty good at low db.

My main concern is sounding full at low volume level.

Out of favour in amplifiers for quite some years, but when understood correctly a "loudness"  feature is useful for fullness at low volume. Vintage rocks!

It shouldn't be used at volumes other than fairly low or weirdness happens.  There was some discussion here within recent memory.

Here's a link to a technical discussion. including recent developments.

For fuller sound at lower volumes, I'd suggest using part of the budget for a small subwoofer.  I have run one in my secondary home office rig for years and it allows me to have great performance at any volume but also the ability to run bookshelf speakers on stands, making the room feel larger not as cluttered, not having to worry about pulling larger towers out into the room to breathe, etc. 

I am thinking the loudness control would be helpful. May eliminate (maybe not entriely) the need for a subwoofer.

Yamaha and Vincent made integrateds with that feature. I am sure there ore others. 

Look for speakers with wide dispersion. Ones that serve an area larger than the lisening chair.