Low level listening

For me, completely understanding the issue has been illusive. But different systems I have owned have definitely varied. In general, the better the system the less dependent on volume.

I have heard a lot of Maggie’s over the years. Those are, at least in my mind not speaker you want. To get dynamic presentation they need a lot of power… and often volume.

My favorite speakers for low volume are Totem. My Sonus Faber sound great at low volumes. But it is not just the speakers… it is also the electronics. 

Dali and some of the Dynaudio models are ideal.

@erik_squires , I just listened to a set of little Dynaudio Heritage speakers and was very impressed. They reminded me of LS3 5As with a little more bass. Beautiful image. $7K was a little steep so we wound up getting Harbeth P3ESR XDs, a better value at $3200.00. Subwoofers will be mandatory. This is my son in law's first system.