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SPEAKERS THAT SOUND ALIVE & DYNAMIC AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS

  1. Seeking speakers that sound alive and dynamic at 55 dbs with occasional peaks at 60 dbs. Headphones do not work for me. My ears were just tested and ENT advised my ears are normal for a 72 year old. He said that I have normal age related hearing loss. My ears are uncomfortable when I listen over 55 dbs.  My current system is as follows:

Martin Logan11A impression loudspeakers with 2 SVS 4000 subs. 

Bryston 4B3 Cubed power amp & Bryston BP-19 preamp.

Chord Qutest Dac-with LHY linear power supply.   

Lumin U2 mini  streamer with S Booster power supply.

Before I change speakers I plan to upgrade my DAC to Weiss 204 with Linear power supply, and then purchase Schitt Audio Loki Max equalizer (to boost bass and treble) hopefully to counteract Fletcher Munson Curve.

Finally I was thinking of Klipsch Forte 4 & Cornwall 4, and Frigg 2 by O Audio, as

reviews of all three say they all sound great at low volumes.   I know many say Klipsch is not high end or very revealing, but is there anybody out there that owns or has heard any of the above. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I enjoy this hobby and the great music it brings to the table. I don't want to stop listening and just seeking to find a solution that would allow me to continue musical enjoyment.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 

 

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erik_squires
16,390 posts
 

The benefit of ESLs and other planars comes from dispersion.  There's less reflected energy horizontally and vertically hence the proportion of direct sound to reflected is higher.  I hadn't really thought of this as a good low volume listening trait but I suppose it is.

The other trait that we most focus on is frequency response.  Some speakers have a U, W (some Dynaudio) or even just a tweeter up tilt (Dali)  which certainly makes them better candidates for lower volumes.

paqua123
77 posts
 

I own Klipsch Cornwall IVs with a Luxman L-507z, Hifi Rose RS130 streamer , Luxman D07x SACD and DAC and Technics SL-1300G. I may be a newb but the cornwalls sing LOUD and at super low levels. I dont understand the crude rough comment. They sound amazing. I  recommend you go listen to them

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,532 posts
 

Electrostats are good, so are Triangles and Tekton. Sorry but Klipsch are not what you seek, most take a little juice to get bouncy. 

paqua123
77 posts
 

How do you know Russ? Im interested?

audiodidact's avatar
audiodidact
89 posts
 

Op, just one more consideration:  Don't forget noise reduction.  You haven't specified your room acoustics or what you are using to reduce signal/source noise.  My goal is to attain a complete black background in the listening space, so that the sound shines through.  I find isolation/dampening and power conditioning help make a significant improvement in enjoying music at any volume level.  I've worked many tweaks into the system just for that purpose. Also, it makes a difference what time of day or evening I listen.  Evenings are flat-out the best for me.  But early mornings can be also be good, as there is, theoretically, less noise from the power grid coming to the house.  The right equipment is vital, but if you  want to "feel" the music at low volume nearly the way you do at higher levels, I suggest you put work into reducing noise, as much as finding better gear.

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