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Which Component Has the Greatest Affect on Low-Level Listening

I'm looking to get out of HT 5.1 and go strictly to 2 ch.  I generally have music playing all day, often just sitting done to listen to certain tracks.  

I've read that "some" speakers don't sound "good" until high listening level, and also an integrated such the Luxman 505 don't sound good at low levels (is that the reason they include loudness?).

Which component, the amp or speaker, has the greatest impact on low level listening quality?
bgm1911
mahlman
433 posts
 
Good speakers are #1. All the rest of what you have will work to the level of your speakers and not a single bit more. Spend a million bucks and your limit is still the speakers.
jimofmaine's avatar
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jimofmaine
40 posts
 
100% it's the implementation of quality subwoofers! 2 or more. 
dep14
333 posts
 
Speakers.
invalid
1,082 posts
 
a very well executed line preamp with attention paid to stable linear gain attenuation will have the most dramatic impact of fullness at ALL playback levels.
 






This is the best advice, it makes sense. I have 80 db sensitivity speakers and they sound great a low levels, plenty of good bass. My preamp made the most difference for low level listening, attenuation is very linear in my preamp.
bgm1911 OP
17 posts
 
I didn't count, but a guess the responses are 50/50.

I have been reading more since posting the question:

- horns (which I've never owned) seem to have good impact at low levels
- loudness (which I do have) also has made a difference

Maybe combining the two will produce good results:
Luxman's new integrateds
Klipsch Heresys or Cornwalls

Just thinking about some possibilities, since low level listening is about 90% of my listening from morning til evening.

Thanks for all the replies!
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