Nearfield Low-Level Listening : New Speakers or EQ? Thoughts?

op you are barking up the wrong tree

your amplifier has more then enough power

changing to greater efficiency loudspeakers wont fix it nor will eq

low levet listening involves the flecher munson curve which dictates the ear is less adept at hearing low bass at lower levels you might think adding a sub would fix tha it wont as a good woofer just adds pressure to the leading and trailing notes of the totems the man sound is just coming from the totems

and an eq is too likely to muck up your tonal balance without offering enough finessee to fix the issue

having heard the totem forests for years you need a warmer fuller sounding loudspeaker with greater mid-bass response

please lk at a pair  of Legacy signatures or a pair of Harbeths to completely give you what you are craving.

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

legacy dealer

By the way, 23’ x 23’ x 8’, square rooms can be problematic, even more reason to use measurements to find advantageous, avoid problematic positioning and toe-in.

I would lower the speakers, tilt them back, aim tweeter up at seated ear height, altering the INITIAL reflections off both the floor and ceiling.

Amazing Bytes CD with Test Tones Info here

only finding two expensive listings on Discogs at the moment. Write me a message, I could help you find an inexpensive copy.

I make an enlarged copy of page 4, use the 29 1/3 octave test tones with the SPL Mic on a tripod at ear level listening position. This combined with the Schiit EQ, use one of the presets for ’measured with mic’ then finally, you use your ears and set another of the presets for personal preference.

If there is a big difference between what the mic hears and you hear, time for a hearing test.

I like this chart

EQ will work ... good luck!

I would think that higher sensitivity, more forward sounding speakers may suit you better. 

https://speakerchoices.com/

Although the Totems are not exactly low sensitivity, there may be better options, I would also look at the charts at https://www.spinorama.org/

@gemoody

Woofer: 6.5″ / 16.51 cm, 3″ / 7.62 cm voice coil. I assume standmounts have the same woofer.

Have been told my speakers, Totem Forest Signature, "need power to sing".

Agreed. And I agree that you would need an amp that has full output at the first watt. But that will not fix your problem.

I agree and disagree on EQ / Fletcher Munson. Yes, you can brute force correct for low volumes with eq. But "FR compensation" and "Come to life" are two different things.

Yes, Aiwa stuff was great. Giant Sony had an interesting way to deal with their competition. They bought Aiwa and then "discontinued" the company.