Are there any speakers for nearfield listening that sound GREAT at low volumes?


Back with another question.  I've set up a small system for my home office.  My large desk sits at a right angle to the right wall, and as a result there is about 6 feet behind the speakers.  My local audio store remains closed due to COVID, so I'm buying gear based from reviews, and 'sounds like' something I've heard in person.

I picked up a pair of Totem Acoustic Sky speakers here, and I have been a little underwhelmed with the sound.  I play my music at low or moderate volumes, so as not to disturb my wife in the other room.  Today she went to her sister's house so I turned them up a bit.  Wow!  Now they sounded every bit as good (or better) than what I was expecting!!  Just terrific!  When my wife got home I turned the volume down, and everything got much smaller in a hurry.  The specialness just disappeared when the volume went down.

So my two questions.  Are there are small monitors (appropriate for desktop nearfield listening) that have that 'special' quality at low volumes?  My listening set-up is only 36" between the center of woofers, and the same to my seated listening position.

Second question, would a sealed speaker perhaps be better sitting out away from any wall, as in my set-up?  Would an LS3/5A speaker perhaps be the best fit?  If so, how do they sound at low volumes?

Thanks for your help!
Ag insider logo xs@2xazkeith

Showing 1 response by jafant