BEST HORN LOUDSPEAKER TO PURCHASE

"Last night, listening to Beethoven 7th symphony I noted that the low portions are as low as 38 dbs and the loud go into the 80 db level.  Anybody have any thoughts about my concerns?"

Some TVs had ’night’ modes to avoid peaks that wake the wifey asleep nearby).

I bought a gizmo for my elderly mother, who was in a single room in a nursing home. It was a ’volume average’r’, i.e. soft sounds boosted so she could hear them, loud sounds cut so not too loud for her or thru the wall to neighboring room.

also, ads are louder, despite denials and broadcast rules, it automatically cut those ad’s excess volume.

it had a bypass, so you could not use it unless needed.

do you have a tape or processor loop?

sub-titles were a blessing for her.

Oh, yeah, this was the maker

https://zvox.com/

I don't know who, but something for audio systems rather than TV is out there hopefully.

quickie search ’audio limiter’, just to see what’s out there, learn a bit even if not ideal choices.

https://search.brave.com/search?q=audio+system+limiter&summary=1&conversation=091f8e14922daa61fb4f1f8cdf2b5ac87707

pro acoustics

https://www.proacousticsusa.com/live-sound-equipment/signal-processing-effects/compressors-limiters.html

amazon audio limiters

https://www.amazon.com/audio-limiter/s?k=audio+limiter

Ok you guys.  Story time.  During most of the decade 1970-1980, I worked at least part time in high end hifi retail stores.  First in Seattle, while in college and then in San Diego after graduation, when I wasn't deployed in the Navy.  Then as now this was a serious hobby.  At the stores, a certain group of like minded nut cases would congregate and there would be get togethers.  At the Seattle store at various times we had JBL S8Rs, and Paragons, Altec Voice of the Theaters, and Valencias, Kipsch K-Horn, La Scalla, horn speakers that come to mind.  We also had Bozak Concert Grands, KLH Nines, McIntosh ML4C, ML2C, Electro Voice Patricians, Quads, Dalquist.  In San Diego, add Maggies, Infinity, Fulton J to name a few. We met at the stores and at various homes.  I can honestly say, that I never had a better time.  None of these meetings ever resulted in consensus.  The Altec guys could never cotton up to the Klipsch speakers and vice versa.  Of course the KLH Nine guy thought everyone else was deluded.  As a Bozak Concert Grand man, I knew who needed their ears checked.  But here is the thing.  We all got along.  We all enjoyed listening to each system.  At the end of the day there is no such thing as the best _______(fill in the blank).  They're all good.  Run what ya brung as the hot rodders say. 

I finally looked at your JBL 4349's (sorry I didn't look them up earlier)

I think your problem, with them, is they are only 2 way. JBL includes level controls like they used to, however, for the 2 way models, they only alter the tweeter, there is no midrange.

I think you need a 3 way speaker, with level controls for both the midrange and the tweeter.

Normally, you adjust them in your space, to get close to flat frequency response, and finally adjust for your personal preference

For you, listening at low volumes, I think the secret will be to reduce the midrange control (relative to the woofer), so when you get down to (or up to) say 53 db, your 'curve' will automatically have more bass than 'flat'. 

After a few days, then adjust the tweeter, for less or more as per personal taste.

Like their Model 4312G

https://global.jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw40b7379d/pdfs/JBL_MODEL_4312G_OWNER'S%20MANUAL_EN.pdf

It has separate controls for the midrange and for the tweeter. Nicely, they are on the front, my AR-2ax are on the back.

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Other makers, vintage or current include midrange level controls which I believe is the solution.

IF/when playing at higher volumes, front controls, then it's easy to turn the mids back up to 'normal'.

Sum it up: cut the mids rather than boost the bass.

I contacted Greg at Volti who confirmed that my 100db Volti Rival can handle 2watt SET amps. Besides its efficiency, I choose Volti for its neutrality so I can explore tube Sonics. 

The O/96 is less efficient, but it’s one of the most musical speakers. Maybe I’ll pick up a pair someday to compare tube amps with my Volti - what fun!

To get a horn bass unit one usually needs a larger room. The Volti Vittora is an example, but is out of budget. Maybe a used Klipsch Bell with Volti upgrades.