Listening at very low volume

Going all the way = headset? How's that?

Regarding headphones, the binaural listening experience is definitely different than listening to speakers. This is because the left ear hears only the left channel information and the right channel hears only right channel information. There is no inter-ear crosstalk and no wall reflections or room acoustic problems to muck things up.

I can hear lyrics clearer on my headphones, including the obscure backing vocals that get swamped in the mix when using speakers. I use the Stax 4040 System II Signature, which uses full-range electrostatic speakers driven by a dedicated, direct-drive tube amplifier. Using the Monarchy Audio M24 tube DAC to feed the Stax 006t tube amp makes for a very detailed, musically pleasing and totally non-fatiguing type of sound.

On the plus side for speakers, the soundstaging perspective is more natural (because in real life we do hear the inter-ear crosstalk), dynamics and low bass extension are usually better, and you don't have to wear anything on your head. Plus, your friends can listen at the same time.

If I've left anything out, I'm sure others will chime in, but that's my take on it. I still mostly listen to speakers, but have some great headphone sessions as well. You can't beat the headphones for personal listening when you don't want to disturb others -- or if you're trying to unravel some song lyrics that you can't quite decipher on your speakers.

I just turned 47 as well, so I can relate. I canceled my Playboy subscription when I hit 40 because my ability to read was getting so bad I had to hold the damn magazine at arms length so I could read the girl's hobbies. Might as well have been staring at them from a hill across the valley.

Warrenh...The low distortion and complete lack of compression possible with very low power amplification that is acceptable for a headset reminds me of the kind of sonic character that I hear with your high efficiency single driver speakers. An added bonus is frequency response that would put a subwoofer to shame, and complete lack of room resonances. And, the imaging possible when each ear is individually isolated is eyeopening. For quiet time listening in your easy chair headphones can't be beat.

Try it. You'll like it.

Warren, I can attest for the Headphones, try a otl headphone set out or a good pair of Grado. It truly is a experience. I however found the phones gave me a truly great sonic experience the speakers gave me something intangibly more. Perhaps the room acoustics or just the way the tubes interfaced with the transducers, it is hard to quantify but I sold my headphones and have not looked back.

With my amps I have tried a high end speaker switcher, a self made all copper switch (essentially dead men’s switches) but I have just gone back to all copper speaker banana plugs and just exchange them from the backs of the amps. Its just become so routine now that I don’t really think about it.