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Electrostatic speakers and low volume resolution

I've used electrostats almost exclusively for over 35 years and am just now questioning whether it is my somewhat compromised hearing (73 yrs old), the nature of that type speaker, or both that lead me to this question. At "normal" listening levels factors like detail, resolution, timbre, etc are excellent. At lower volumes, though, I lose these attributes. I realize that my age related hearing deficiencies could account for these loses but am questioning whether the nature of speakers themselves could be a contributor.

It's been awhile since I've used conventional speakers so my memory might be lacking but this didn't seem an issue when using them. The two that I owned and recall having the best sound to my ears were the JMLab Electras and the Jamo Concert Eights. My current speakers are the Martin Logan Ethos' which replaced the Odysseys that were in the system for 12(?) years.

For various reasons I need to listen mostly at reduced volumes, so, before I start looking to trade my Ethos' which I very much like, btw, for something like a good pair of stand mount dynamic speakers, I'm asking for input.
128x128broadstone
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"ZD, thanks for the "whest" idea but I'm going to stick to end of the stream experiments for now."

My intent when I posted the info on the Whest was just to lend some creditability to the idea that having the audio signal intact above what we can actually hear is something that's probably worth while. I don't think you could get one, even if you wanted it. I'm pretty sure they're not made any more, and I don't think I've ever seen a used one come up for sale.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Geoffkait, I do have some background in and understanding of quantum physics but never in any way associated with sound fortification so this explanation is interesting and I'll be giving it some thought....as if I needed something else to tax my aging brain. Anyway, I had pretty much written the Ultras off but I'll go back and rethink them, and others, from a potentially new point of view.

ZD, I understand your point and get the idea of squeezing out as much HF as your system is capable of. It also reminds me of another issue; doesn't using vinyl as one's source acheive some of that over CD's to begin with? I'm not ready to convert,..just sayin'.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Just to add that I'm not sure if the SteinMusic Harmonizer works similarly in principle to the Ultras but it might. The Harmonizer - at least according to what I've read - operates by "energizing" the air molecules in the room so that when the acoustic waves propagate across the room via the air molecules they move more efficiently because the air molecules got a jump start. Instead of just sitting there they had already started to move. Kind of like an Olympic runner getting a jump start on the field by beating the gun.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,874 posts
 
I just found this thread, and can certainly relate. I'm "only" 64 (!), but from playing drumset in bands since I was 14 and attending who knows how many live shows, I now have mild tinnitus and high-frequency hearing loss. I also am a long-time electrostatic (original Quads) owner/listener. I realize you highly value the equalizer in your particular system, but if I was desiring higher low-level resolution/transparency out of a system, it would be high on my list of suspects. The opamps in that Behringer are quite smeared sounding devices, unfortunately. The second thing I would consider is a really good tube pre-amp. It is not only solid state power amps that become veiled at low-level listening, but many ss pre-amps (and sources too) are inferior to tubes at amplifying those tiny microvolt signals. But more than those two considerations, I must join those in suggesting that for lower-volume resolution and dynamics, high-efficiency speakers are definitely the way to go. They also play well with tubes!
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,901 posts
 
Hi Atmashphere, Electrostats that are not direct driven already have a transformer to step up the voltage built in. Would it not be better to replace the transformer in the speaker with one that raises the impedance, than to add a set of Zero's?

Certainly- if it can be done.

Broadstone, just in case- air molecules cannot be 'charged' at GHz frequencies... actually that sounds kind of dangerous, like being in a microwave oven.
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