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Low volume (loudness) listening

I do a lot of my listening early in the morning and/or late at night when my wife is sleeping.  I listen to CDs I have ripped to my MacBook Air and to Tidal, both via Roon, and a few internet radio stations.  The loudest I listen would be 60dB.  I understand and it has been my experience that at lower volumes I am missing a lot; especially bass and vocals.  Suggestions on what I can do?

My system:  Sonus Faber Olympica Nova 3 speakers, Pair of REL T/7x subwoofers, Moon 390 preamp, Moon 330A amp, Emotiva CD player (used occasionally), Roon Nucleus One (Roon core) and LAIV Harmony DAC.  

The Room:  16 ft X 22 ft living room.  8 ft ceiling.  Oak floors.  Reasonably damped with furniture, rugs and wall absorption.  TV mounted on wall between speakers and behind furniture with equipment -- common setup.

Thanks for the help.

Evan

evanpress
evanpress OP
50 posts
 

Thank you all.  I think that I will start with an understanding of the Fletcher Munson Curve and then tackle the Roon equalizer.  I will let you know how it works.

PS.  My wife never asked how much the speakers cost, so I tread lightly.

gotolondon2
38 posts
 

Nice system mate. I would add a schiit lokius to adjust levels. And since you have wooden floors add some type of isolation footers for your sub and perhaps to your SF's. I use the SVS Soundpath feet for subs and they work a treat.

Good luck

swaudiofan
48 posts
 

Really nice system.  What will you do?

dynacohum
833 posts
 

If you can master the Roon option, using its EQ to tailor a custom loudness contour is probably your best bet. Before I noticed you have a Nucleus, my reaction was that you have way too much system to achieve 60dB listening levels, and you’d be better off with a Yamaha R-N1000 and using its YPAO Volume feature. That is an integrated room correction system with loudness compensation included. But you have what you have, and it’s a great setup, so good luck with Roon!

zlone
1,321 posts
 

Nice system. I have similar low volume listening habits and I have optimized my system for it. I have been able avoid DSP so far, though I did try some convolution filters that were supplied with my speakers. My advice is going to be vague, but do everything to optimize your digital system possible, this can bring a level of clarity and depth you did not know was possible. Also consider something like Stack Auva footers or Townsend podiums for your speakers, these can wring out another level of improvement. Clean power is important as well, if you don’t have dedicated lines, start there.

Lowering your noise floor will yield significant results for low volume listening.

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