The best speakers for low level listening with full dynamic range and tonal clarity with no need for any equalization are the original Quad ESL-57. It may be difficult to find a good pair, but well worth it. We have added the needed bass octave with the addition of an Audio Note Cobra. You should easily be able to stay within the budget.
BEST SPEAKER THAT COMES TO LIFE AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS
My system is as follows:
- Martin Logan 11A Impressions hybrid electrostatic speakers.
- Bryston 4B3 cubed power amp 300 per channel into 8 and 500 into 4.
- Bryston BP-19 preamp, Chord Qutest Dac & Lumin U2 mini stream.
- SVS subs-pair of SB-4000
- 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.
- Any recommendations would be appreciated. Due to age and ear issues I can listen comfortably at 55-60 dbs and not much louder.
- Thanks in advance for any help that you can provide.
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- 50 posts total
Many people here wanting to throw equipment/$$$ at a problem without completely understanding the problem first IMHO... It's akin to mechanics who simply replace parts without doing thorough diagnostics. @sgordon1 has the right idea: Get an ear exam. Fully understand what your ears are really hearing, or not as the case may be. Then you can start working on a solution be it, EQ, room treatments, whatever. That reminds me, I need to get an exam as well. I'm not getting any younger! Happy listening.
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+1 porchlight1. You prob suffer frequency specific loss of hearing. The Schiit options seem logical, efficient, super inexpensive to try. So why not. Also, if you could increase your listening distance, the speakers' non-linearity at low level might be improved. I have similar needs, complicated by my left and right hearing being different. I use a Schiit on each channel with slightly different eq on each. The imaging / staging improved and my "perception" of proper freq balance was achieved. |
I just destroyed my spare Chase Unit, the 1/2" drill bit was dull, and while drilling, the bit dug in, the entire unit violently flipped 180 degrees, slammed the crap out of my arm, and the transformer dislodged, breaking it’s tiny wire, not enough clearance to solder, I can’t fix it, so I’m in the market for a working spare at a great price. I don’t need a remote, the lights just need to blink when it’s plugged in, that's enough for me to take a chance on one without a remote. I always want to positively know when it is at default settings, and unplugging it is not convenient. A rotary switch in the power wire that I can reach will be as easy as a face mounted toggle switch, with less risk, I need a new 1/2" metal bit or set of metal bits too. You win some, you lose occasionally, oh well, happy new year. |
As mentioned earlier efficient horns with a large woofer preferably of 15 in. work well at low volume. Klipsch Cornwall lV may fit the bill. A quality amp where, again as mentioned, the first couple watts are clean, such as a number of Class A Nelson Pass First Watt models. Think F3, F5, SIT 3 or 4 or new(er) F8. Add a quality tube preamp and I think you have the deep, full room filling low volume sound you’re hoping to find. Best Rich |
- 50 posts total