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Audiogon member suggestions for a speaker that sounds good at low volume!!!

I am looking for speaker suggestions (new or used) in the $1000-$4000 range that sound good at low volume (45-50db).  I listen to mostly jazz and classical music late at night while everyone else is sleeping so the volume is low.  My current speakers are Vandy 2CE sigs and they sound good at higher volume levels but I listen most critically, at low volume and hope to do better.  My amp is a Classe CT-2300 with a Classe CP-800 preamp. I have a larger room 20ft X 20ft but seldom listen to music loud. Monitor of floor standing is fine.  

I understand the limitation of human hearing (Fletcher-Munson Curve) and also an appreciation of the synergy of speaker design, speaker placement and room effects.  Anyone out there have a speaker they like at low volume?

Thank you in advance.


128x1282tuby

Showing 7 responses by tomic601

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,736 posts
 
i didnt read any of the responses, get a FIRSTwatt
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,736 posts
 
look, nothing will fix the background signal to noise issues you are going to have with SPL in the 50 range. More detail is not the answer, a quieter room, higher spl or a combination of both are!,,,. Stax makes awesome headphones and IF you keep SPL low, you will not hurt your ears..
enjoy your quest and the music!!!!
Jim
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,736 posts
 
2tuby next time you are up late nite listening, measure background ambient, your s to n very important also, then let’s start identifying things to reduce/attenuate, eliminate. My problem w Condo system is crashing surf - 45 dB ish... good for Beach Boys, Beethoven not so much...

also, Fletcher Munson might have ya back the 2 closer to wall to get more coupling, Room reinforcement... this will be a pragmatic physical experiment, can also argue why this is not a good idea...try it

best to you

jim
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,736 posts
 
2tuby. My guess have looked at a few but not statistically valid sample of cell and ipad spl apps using the built in mic is that they tend to be about 10 dB low
fwiw, my guess you are listening in the low 60’s
i think the Lyngdorf might be an exception, will have to study how the volume control is implemented- many attenuate at low levels buy reducing bit depth and therefore resolution, exactly what we want to avoid here.
... but “ mostly right “ is a new level of achievement for me, I plan to quote you in my annual letter to Santa, I always CC my spouse....
ha


tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,736 posts
 
52 dB in the listening chair with a high efficiency speaker = no range on the volume control....

just math
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,736 posts
 
Those quoting spl would help by stating how you are arriving at that...
RS analog SPL
and calibrated b&K into Audio Tools RTA on the iPad 

the ipad built in mic, and my iPhone are off by a scant 10db

of course, yourmilagemay vary

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,736 posts
 
Treo or the new carbon tweeter VLR
i listen at low levels at nite in our condo to Treo CT
working your room and system noise floor
essential

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