BEST SPEAKERS FOR LISTENING LEVELS BETWEEN 50 AND 55 DBS

[1065tax]

Due to my age and ear sensitivity I can only listen to music at 50-55 dBS with intermittent peaks at 60-65 dbs. My current system consists of the following:
1. Martin Logan 11A impressions hybrid electrostatic speakers
2. Bryston 4B3 Cubed power amplifier 300./channel into 8 and 500 into 4 ohms.
3. Bryston BP-19 preamp
4. Chord Qutest Dac with LHY linear power supply added.
5. Lumin U2 mini with S Booster linear power supply
6. Pair of SVS SB-4000 subs
The problem is that at this low DB level the sound is mostly thin and is not full sounding. In order to achieve full dynamics, I need to listen at 70-75 DBS which causes ear discomfort.

I am planning the following upgrades:
1. Purchase of Weiss 204DAC (will listen to next week) If this works will purchase and then add a linear power supply. Linear power supllies make a positive difference.
2. Purchase of Schiit Audio Loki Max, which is an equalizer. Will boost bass and treble to
effectively use the equalizer as a loudness switch to counteract the Fletcher Munson Curve.
3. Hiring an acoustic consultant to make sure my room is maximized acoustically. I know about bass traps, absorption, diffusion, but I believe it is better to bring in an expert who after objective tests of my room can recommend treatments and the placing thereof.
4. If all of above do not work for me I would replace my speakers with possibly open baffle,
horn speakers or one driver speakers. This would be my last resort. Any advice would be appreciated. I am hoping there are members that has the same or similar concerns as I do.

Thank you for any advice. Just purchased the amp and preamp and not my preference to
change. But I am open to listen.

 

[dan31]

Harbeth M40 series. They sound full and complete at lower db’s. They have been designed for monitoring at sensible levels. Audition if possible. I was surprised how satisfying they sound a lower volume levels.

 

[1065tax]

Harbeth M40 series. They sound full and complete at lower db’s. They have been designed for monitoring at sensible levels. Audition if possible. I was surprised how satisfying they sound a lower volume levels.

Thank you Dan.

 

[A-Line]

Maybe Devore speakers might work.
To be safe headphones may be a solution.

 

[tmallin]

The Harbeths are a good choice, albeit somewhat expensive. If you can find a pair, the Acoustic Research AR-303 or AR-303a are much less expensive and balanced at least as full in the bass.

But for that listening level, you really need electronic equalization to boost the bass end, even if you put your speakers near the corners. For an all-in-one digital preamp, amp, EQ, I suggest the Lyngdof TDAI-3400. It as adjustable Voicing equalization programs which you can tailor-make to counteract the Fletcher-Munson effects of such low-volume listening.

 

[ssfas]

Agree, Harbeth are excellent at low levels, why I bought them. SHL5+ in my case. M40 need a fairly big room.
Quad ESL are even better. It was said a long time ago that the aim of Harbeth was to sound as good as Quad.

Peter Walker also invented the TILT control and bass lift for the 33 pre-amp, for low level listening. They are included in the 33 pre-amp recently reissued.
Explained here:

Quad 34 Preamp Review

 

[A-Line]

Agree, Harbeth are excellent at low levels, why I bought them. SHL5+ in my case. M40 need a fairly big room.
Quad ESL are even better. It was said a long time ago that the aim of Harbeth was to sound as good as Quad.

Peter Walker also invented the TILT control and bass lift for the 33 pre-amp, for low level listening. They are included in the 33 pre-amp recently reissued.
Explained here:

Quad 34 Preamp Review

I completely forgot about Quad.

 

[ssfas]

I completely forgot about Quad.

I found that speakers that are good at low levels actually lead you to listening at those levels, maybe your brain leads you to listening with only enough volume to make the sound real. Likewise, a bad pair of speakers leads you to listen louder to compensate for their failings.

Anyway I listened at the lowest levels to a pair of ESL63.

 

[A-Line]

I found that speakers that are good at low levels actually lead you to listening at those levels, maybe your brain leads you to listening with only enough volume to make the sound real. Likewise, a bad pair of speakers leads you to listen louder to compensate for their failings.

Anyway I listened at the lowest levels to a pair of ESL63.

I really like the Quad 57's & 63's.

 

[LewL28]

My Harbeth 40.3XDs sound great at low volumes. Much more enjoyable than the Focal Scala Utopia EVOs that I had before switching to the big Harbeths.

 

[yoder]

I have to sometimes limit levels for other reasons, but bought option 2, the Loki Max, for the same purpose. I already had option 6, dual subs, but I added remote volume/gain control. I can use the Loki just for my speakers and the remote for the subs, so I don't double up adjustments to subs levels. These 2 changes have helped tremendously to provide fuller, more enjoyable sound at lower listening levels. I don't believe my speakers or subs have any particular deficiency. I am glad to have learned of the Fletcher-Munson effects and no longer feel guilty not being a proper audiophile by boosting bass when appropriate. I also find this to be highly recording dependent. I find newer mixes to require less help, while recordings ~pre 2000 are mixed much thinner.

 

[Viggen]

I share your hearing sensitivity (and consequently, a general sensitivity to the 'noisiness' of Life!)
Please see my detailed review of he Graham LS5/5 on this site in which I comment upon low level listening with both the Grahams and with the 'speakers which I used previously, the Spendor SP100.
With good wishes,
Stephen..

 

[Kingrex]

Try a single driver Decware speaker.

 

[GroovySauce]

The single driver Decware speakers might be a good fit. I don't care for the "presence peak" (others love it) that the Lii drivers have, so that's something to consider.

You didn't mention how big your room is and how much freedom of setup you have.

I'm a big Pure Audio Project fan and am biased. That said. Having a few large 15" woofers seriously move some air.

My brother is also an audiophile and he comes to visit frequently. Often we will grab a meal then head to my place. While the system is warming up we will have it playing at low volume while chatting. Sometimes after 20 minutes or so we will both stop chatting and just start listening sometimes it a song some times a few. Then one of us starts to say something and we are both surprised at how low SPL the system is playing. Less than 60 db

My theory is that having eight 15" woofers even at very low SPL moves a significant amount of air which is felt even at low volumes.

I was just at my buddy's place who has the Duets one 15" driver and the Voxativ 8" and the also low level listening is great.

I find that listening at 75db peaks is a sweet spot for me lots of dynamic impact and no desire to increase the volume. Compared to when I had Wilson MAXX 2s I would keep the SPL meter close by because I would hit 85+ db peaks and want to keep turning it up. I found I would want to settle around 90-95db peaks

 

[Kingrex]

My PAP Trio 15s come alive with 55db and low 70 peaks.

I mentioned a Decware as very low volume levels may work better with a simplistic crossover, or non at all.

Im sort of guessing. I have never heard a really good single driver. But I have fiddled at home and there is something to the midrange that is nice.

 

[sbnx]

Hello,

For low volume levels, pick a speaker with a high sensitivity.

For ear issues, such as tinnitis, getting the speakers perfectly aligned will reduce the clashing and acoustic noise. This has a very positive effect on ear fatigue. Contact Stirling Trayle if you require assistance.

 

[gleeds]

As Tom suggested, the roll off of the human hearing ability to hear low frequencies (Fletcher Munson curve) is at issue. Your solution will consist of having a pre-amplifier or integrated amplifier with a loudness contour control. McIntosh may offer such a unit, especially if you look for one of their older vintage units.

Our speakers offer a powered woofer amplitude control on the back of the speaker. However, the cost is in the $50k range, which may be out of reach. You might also look for one of the many constantly improving powered loudspeakers with a control suite allowing a smartphone or other parametric EQ program. Good luck.