2. speakers
  3. 192648-112139

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
jrareform
19 posts
 

I recently had the pleasure of listening to the OJAS collaboration with Klipsch, the KO-R1 at my local hifi shop.  At low volumes it sounded absolutely amazing with vocal content.  Not much below 50 Hz with these as I understand, but if you aren't listening to a lot of pop music or music with sub bass content, these would fit the bill nicely paired with your subwoofers 

For those that keep bringing up Fletcher Munson, although this is good information, what people don't account for is the fact that our hearing and our biases for sound at low level can oftentimes incorporate the FM curve automatically as that's how we are used to lower DB music sounding.  Although completely accurate, I don't think adjusting to the FM curve always makes sense with "loudness" functions.  Lower dB music may have lowered bass etc because of the curve, but the OP may enjoy this perceived lack of low end etc.  Just food for thought - maybe the curve is WHY he likes low volume listening. 

I second those that are asking about your power conditioning.  I have a Gemini 8 from Shunyata and it made a huge difference for low level detail at lower volume.  OJAS are $8k or so, Gemini 8 is $2500.  $10,500 and enough left over to see an audio specialist about the ears!

paulcreed
565 posts
 

If you have dealer close enough to listen to some QLN towers,  would definitely sit down check them out. Don’t let there size fool you, fantastic speakers. 

greenngoldcheesehead
60 posts
 

I have been living in a condo for the past 2 yrs while my home is being rebuilt from hurricane Ian.  I've gone thru 4 sets of bookshelf speakers and the best by far are the TAD ME1's.  I am a Maggie's 1.7 w sub guy and the ME1s image fantastically at normal listening levels.

audition__audio
1,517 posts
 

Some of you are such tools. As if a member doesnt have the right to take a few days/weeks off from a post. Perhaps he is on vacation or unable to respond.

Horns with tubes have had the best low level performance I have heard. And I dont like horns.

cdc
1,820 posts
 

@kjl1065 

Can't say without:

1) Room size?

2) How deep do you want the bass to go?

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