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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.
 

 

128x128kjl1065
tlcocks
457 posts
 

Bass and treble boosts are my forte and I can point you in very much better directions than Loki Max. I’ve owned it and it was greatly inferior to a pro analog piece I own for the use case you described 

tlcocks
457 posts
 

I also own Martin Logan and use Bryston amplification and can say that without EQ and at low SPL the music is lifeless. But with bass and treble modest boost on my EQ the situation is radically better at same low SPL.  Music then becomes rich textured life like and full. Even at low SPL. Loki Max wasn’t so hot. 

tlcocks
457 posts
 

Oh don’t get a Luxman just for tone controls. I researched it and the treble dial is a bell centered at 10 khz. Low low!  Need delicacy not harsh fatiguing treble. Get a used Massive passive, a stereo program easy to use (but expensive) D W Fearn VT-5. The patter’s functionality and sonics are beyond reproach and similar to my Charter Oak PEQ-1, which I’ll probably be buried with lol. They pop up on Reverb every now and again. You want serial number below 1100 or so. Change in maker and cutting of corners led to inferior piece of kit after that cutoff. 

tlcocks
457 posts
 

@lanx0003, I’ve never heard a digital treble boost to sound as natural and wonderful as an analog one. Digital EQ is totally there for bass management and room correction. But if you are simply tone shaping treble, digital still lacks. 

tlcocks
457 posts
 

Oh and my soundstage never shrinks with good analog implementation. It is maintained to slightly larger. 

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