I have full range speakers originally chosen for playing Rock music loud. With time I began appreciating other genres and turned the volume down. Recently I am looking at stand mount speakers with limited bass extension thinking that I might enjoy these more especially for genres that have moderate bass output . But these sound a little thin and bright in comparison. Sure they sound exciting and appear to portray more resolution and sharper imaging but can be tiring even for music that has very little low bass content. Thinking maybe I ought to mix stand mounts with 2 subwoofers. Bad idea cos getting that to integrate poses way more problems. So I learned that a good full range speaker is best .Nowadays I notice that even playing at lower volume levels Rock is enjoyable. Makes me wonder at what volume levels do other folk play their music. I’m comfortable between 70 to 75 dB(A). Far off from approx 95 dB which I enjoyed many years ago. .
Full range speakers or not and how loud
- Thread starter alfa100
- Start date
Consider Joseph Audio Pulsars (stand mount) with REL sub(s). Come pretty close to my previous MBL 116's.
i guess your kit sound fabulous at this sound level. Never heard of the Horning speakers before. Checked on the net and find them very interesting having no filter coils and capacitors. Rel subs too.
This may work for your system / room, however the idea that bass - light music needs speakers that are less than full - range does not hold up under scrutiny...
True. That’s why I thought subwoofers were needed, with the need for long hours of tuning and integration . Led me to revert to floor standers. Nothing is perfect. What volume level do you mostly listen at ?
If stand mount speakers sound thin then that is a problem with brand or model, room acoustics and/or setup in the room, or all of the above. It is not intrinsic to the speaker concept.
I have Reference 3A Reflector monitors, and now, with better coupling to the room due to change in acoustics, they even have enough midbass -- critical to rock music -- on their own, without subs. They also have good body in the low midrange (power range of orchestra, lower registers of piano and cello etc.). I still prefer the speakers with subs, but on a lot of rock they are fine without.
I have written a review of my experiences on page 4 of my speaker review thread:
www.whatsbestforum.com
The post also contains some thoughts on the questionable practice of calling any old multi-way floor stander "full range".
I did not have problems integrating my subs (JL Audio F112v2) with the main speakers.
My preferred listening levels for rock are at average of 88 - 90 dBa (the latter being about 95 dB), even though I don't listen for long at those levels in order not to damage my ears long-term. Peak levels for orchestral music, which has less continuous loudness, are 95 dBa (ca. 100 dB).
I have Reference 3A Reflector monitors, and now, with better coupling to the room due to change in acoustics, they even have enough midbass -- critical to rock music -- on their own, without subs. They also have good body in the low midrange (power range of orchestra, lower registers of piano and cello etc.). I still prefer the speakers with subs, but on a lot of rock they are fine without.
I have written a review of my experiences on page 4 of my speaker review thread:
Review: Reference 3A Reflector monitors
A WBF member contacted me about these speakers, and asked me about their bass performance without subwoofers. So this afternoon I delved into the interesting exercise to find out. I had already known that bass performance of the monitors on their own was vastly improved since I had moved the...
www.whatsbestforum.com
The post also contains some thoughts on the questionable practice of calling any old multi-way floor stander "full range".
I did not have problems integrating my subs (JL Audio F112v2) with the main speakers.
My preferred listening levels for rock are at average of 88 - 90 dBa (the latter being about 95 dB), even though I don't listen for long at those levels in order not to damage my ears long-term. Peak levels for orchestral music, which has less continuous loudness, are 95 dBa (ca. 100 dB).
Last edited:
Good question. Its been a long time since I really thought about it. Back when I had a mastering studio was around the time 'calibrated listening levels' were newly popular and was a frequent topic...
I think the better LF a system can reproduce in conjunction with a room that allows it and which has a low ambient noise level, the quieter you can listen with satisfaction.
At the moment I am figuring out some diy quasi blh speakers so have my work cut out for the summer
Thanks for letting me in onto the 3 A speakers, your experience with subs and dB level. JL Audio subs are fab.If stand mount speakers sound thin then that is a problem with brand or model, room acoustics and/or setup in the room, or all of the above. It is not intrinsic to the speaker concept.
I have Reference 3A Reflector monitors, and now, with better coupling to the room due to change in acoustics, they even have enough midbass -- critical to rock music -- on their own, without subs. They also have good body in the low midrange (power range of orchestra, lower registers of piano and cello etc.). I still prefer the speakers with subs, but on a lot of rock they are fine without.
I have written a review of my experiences on page 4 of my speaker review thread:
Review: Reference 3A Reflector monitors
A WBF member contacted me about these speakers, and asked me about their bass performance without subwoofers. So this afternoon I delved into the interesting exercise to find out. I had already known that bass performance of the monitors on their own was vastly improved since I had moved the...
The post also contains some thoughts on the questionable practice of calling any old multi-way floor stander "full range".
I did not have problems integrating my subs (JL Audio F112v2) with the main speakers.
My preferred listening levels for rock are at average of 88 - 90 dBa (the latter being about 95 dB), even though I don't listen for long at those levels in order not to damage my ears long-term. Peak levels for orchestral music, which has less continuous loudness, are 95 dBa (ca. 100 dB).
Soon as i saw your
My personal preference is large speakers plus subs, if the room allows.
I prefer my main speakers making all the bass, subs coming in to lend a hand below 40hz only
listening volume 90-95db's for my favourite tunes, considerably lower on background. I work the volume control a fair bit, backing off as soon as the moment has passed in the interests of hearing longevity. But my Focals do need a strong kick up the arse before they amaze, unlike my previous Alon (Nola) Phalanx AND Alon iv's. (I was always impressed at how good Carl Machisotto's speakers were playing at very low spl's.)
Have you considered dipoles. Or omnis?
By that i mean speakers that seek to replicate the sound of real instruments by radiating sound in all directions. They can be tremendously satisfying- i thought of my Alon's more as teleportation devices than speakers. Every time you played music your room's walls disappeared and you entered a different soundscape.
BUT
They suffered limited power handling, so i once i moved to a bigger room i was forever blowing drivers. However this isn't an issue for you, given your move away from high spl's.
Soon as i saw your op, i thought 'Al's your man'
My personal preference is large speakers plus subs, if the room allows.
I prefer my main speakers making all the bass, subs coming in to lend a hand below 40hz only
listening volume 90-95db's for my favourite tunes, considerably lower on background. I work the volume control a fair bit, backing off as soon as the moment has passed in the interests of hearing longevity. But my Focals do need a strong kick up the arse before they amaze, unlike my previous Alon (Nola) Phalanx AND Alon iv's. (I was always impressed at how good Carl Machisotto's speakers were playing at very low spl's.)
Have you considered dipoles. Or omnis?
By that i mean speakers that seek to replicate the sound of real instruments by radiating sound in all directions. They can be tremendously satisfying- i thought of my Alon's more as teleportation devices than speakers. Every time you played music your room's walls disappeared and you entered a different soundscape.
BUT
They suffered limited power handling, so i once i moved to a bigger room i was forever blowing drivers. However this isn't an issue for you, given your move away from high spl's.
I enjoy full range speakers as well. I also have a couple of systems that I use subs with. I must be lucky because I don't have an issue with sub integration. In my rooms I have not had any issues adding them and they make a big difference as far as overall system balance. Not worried at all about what some call bass overloading the room as it's all recording based and where some are a bit thin some are a bit heavy and some are just right. I listen at about 85-90Db but usually try to adjust to what I feel is the best sounding level for the CD I am listening to.
Rob
Rob
Thank you for the detailed reply. It’s what makes our community strong and WBF worthwhile. I have considered dipoles but I’m slowly winning with the Sashas I’m jealous of your sub integration
I have full range mid towers, I don’t care for subwoofers, for music.. I listen in the mid 70 db range mostly.. I measured peaks to 84 - 86 db on some classical. I consider “comfortable “ Listening.
Im more concerned about my hearing now than I was 40 years ago..
my horn system is 116 dB efficient with bass down to 45hz. I listen everyday at around 100db.I sometimes use my 2 15 inch subs for deep bass.
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