BEST SPEAKER THAT COMES TO LIFE AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS


My system is as follows:

  1. Martin Logan 11A Impressions hybrid electrostatic speakers.
  2. Bryston 4B3 cubed power amp 300 per channel into 8 and 500 into 4.
  3. Bryston BP-19 preamp, Chord Qutest Dac & Lumin U2 mini stream.
  4. SVS subs-pair of SB-4000
  5. I listen at 55-60 dbs. Can anybody recommend a speaker with a budget of $15,000.00 per pair that sounds alive and dynamic at low listening levels. My dealer sells, Totem, Triangle and Proac.
  6. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Due to age and ear issues I can listen comfortably at 55-60 dbs and not much louder. 
  7. Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide. 
128x128kjl1065

do not ignore documented science, ANY darn good speaker, essentially flat at normal volumes, will sound like it has weak lows and weak highs at very low volume. It doesn’t, your ears sensitivity changes at low volume.

https://www.izotope.com/en/learn/what-is-fletcher-munson-curve-equal-loudness-curves.html?srsltid=AfmBOorT6xVQNLA5aCeK5tp-Q5XexV1F5_1gWwA1imER0w5nP0bghaZB

IF a speaker sounds good at very low volumes, without compensation, then it has to have weak mids, i.e. boosted lows and boosted highs, exactly what is needed for the majority of human’s ears as documented by Fletcher Munson.

Played at normal volumes, it would sound boomy and too bright at the same time, i.e. it’s weak mids would be revealed by your ears when they are at their normal volume sensitivity.

All kinds of features have disappeared during 'pure' 'direct' 'minimal' trends, and frankly now getting away with the low cost of missing features.

I'm 76, in my youth ALL equipment came with 'loudness' compensation, both a stupid name (it's low volume compensation) and often very poorly implemented and explained. Balance, tone, Stereo/Mono/REV mode switches ..... tape or processor loops, all gone in a lot of todays offerings

To get remote volume of any non-remote equipment, in my case my full-featured McIntosh mx-110z tube tuner preamp, I use a Chase Remote Line Controller RLC-1. Aside from remote volume and balance, it it has automatic and progressive bass boost for very low volume use. It requires proper understanding and use, but it's implementation works perfectly for me. It doesn't boost the highs, I find maintaining the bass is what keeps music involving for me the rare times I listen that low.

 

Large efficient speakers are what I would be looking at. Horns with big bass drivers.