Recommendations for speakers that sound great at lower volume levels.


I have a pair of Harbeth SHL5 Plus and they sound wonderful when I crank them up. But at moderate to low volume levels they sound disappointingly flat and unengaging - instruments are less palpable, bass has less bloom, and soundstage has less air and dimensionality. I drive my speakers with a tube integrated - a Line Magnetic 845 rated at 26 watts of power. My Harbeths are rated at 86db. Would a higher sensitivity speaker be helpful? Or how about a good quality small shoebox sized pair of speakers coupled with a subwoofer? Or not. What speakers are going to deliver music you can feel at low volume levels? What say all you wisened audiophiles?
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Showing 1 response by musicaddict

(Pardon me if someone mentioned an idea below first.)

emrofsemanon:  I'd say you are right about pretty much everything you mentioned. I have an extension cord between my fridge and the wall so I can unplug it (a tiny reminder light goes on when I do) for evening low level sessions (even 40 feet away). It is so true how brown noise wrecks low level (or moderate level music, or high level with intricate details). Thank heaven I no longer have force air heat; ugh on that fan.


cakyol, mwinkc: I agree with the ability to use a loudness or other bass control when listening at lower volumes. Bass does disappear. I used to be a purist before I realized it got in the way of enjoying the hobby...  The DSPeaker Anti-Mode 2.0 easily enables a bit of bass or treble boost that is easily defeated as well.

mtbiker:  I'd call avgs in mid-70s 'low volume' (for me). I'm more in the mid-80s I guess (unless real happy about some music I'm playing :-)