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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
jfrost27
97 posts
 

I also vote for headphones. 
 

I had the same situation exactly. About 8 months ago I stepped up for a decent headphone setup. I love it. Wife is happy, and therefore I am happy. As they say, happy wife, happy life. 

McIntosh MHA200 amp

Grado RS1x phones. 

wolf_garcia
6,886 posts
 

Not sure why this comes up so often, but an eq of some sort solves the problem. I use a Shiit Loki Max as it has remote and works as it should.

evanpress OP
50 posts
 

5/7/2026 Update: 

Using the Parametric EQ I am trying:

@ 500Hz    +4dB

@ 3000Hz  +3dB

Sounds much better.  

Thanks again.

katzenjammer27's avatar
katzenjammer27
133 posts
 

@yesiam_a_pirate

That Manley EQ is a beast!

elliottbnewcombjr
7,705 posts
 

This Chase RLC-1 Remote Line Controller is ideal for your needs.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/257022464525?mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=37ac0286-4a3d-11f1-a5a7-353961333135

I use one in my main, office, and garage/shop systems. Direct, or alternately thru a tape loop, you cannot tell it’s in or out, 105 db S/N. No moving parts, all done via a single Philips chip

innards of one of mine

In addition to 4 line in options, it has remote: volume, mute; balance; treble; bass

and, for you, anyone listening at low volumes

Automatic and Progressive Bass Boost. 

setup:

Chase Default volume is low, with no bass boost.

Set your preamp to your normal listening level, never change that.

Now, using the Chase for remote volume, go louder, no bass boost. go below it’s default level, it begins and as you lower the volume more, it automatically and progressively implements bass boost, which keeps the Jazz Bassist part of the mix (otherwise the bass would be gone due to our ear’s non-linear curve).

You must have a remote, no controls, just indicators on the unit. I’ve never had a remote break, but people lose them, sell them without a remote.

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