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Audiogon member suggestions for a speaker that sounds good at low volume!!!

I am looking for speaker suggestions (new or used) in the $1000-$4000 range that sound good at low volume (45-50db).  I listen to mostly jazz and classical music late at night while everyone else is sleeping so the volume is low.  My current speakers are Vandy 2CE sigs and they sound good at higher volume levels but I listen most critically, at low volume and hope to do better.  My amp is a Classe CT-2300 with a Classe CP-800 preamp. I have a larger room 20ft X 20ft but seldom listen to music loud. Monitor of floor standing is fine.  

I understand the limitation of human hearing (Fletcher-Munson Curve) and also an appreciation of the synergy of speaker design, speaker placement and room effects.  Anyone out there have a speaker they like at low volume?

Thank you in advance.


128x1282tuby
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
15 posts
 
I want to thank all who replied,  I will search the threads and see what makes sense to me. 

Initial thoughts - No headphones, yes to high sensitivity, maybe a sub?

I have been a stereo listener and enthusiast for many, many years and feel that there are a great many audiophiles out there who do listen al lower volumes. (I no longer wish to hear "Stairway to Heaven" at 100 db.) I hope that speaker companies might start to look at designing speakers for low volume listening. 

It is 9:30 pm and I currently an listening to the European Jazz Trio (Sonata) at 52db -  wonderful.

gosta's avatar
gosta
202 posts
 
Diapason Micra and Ateris are beautiful sounding but also very revealing speakers for low volume. Totem Sky is another. I use them regularly driven by a Paradigm PW AMP and sometimes added with small sub. You may also like the active pro-speaker Neumann KH80 (a bargain). Just a thought - are you really sure about your listening level - 45-50 db is very low.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
2,164 posts
 
52 dB in the listening chair with a high efficiency speaker = no range on the volume control....

just math
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
15 posts
 
My sound meter is a cell phone app.  I do not think a "two point calibration " is an option, so it is a very questionable number. :)
bpoletti
1,004 posts
 
If you're just going to listen at low levels, you might consider a pair of full range speakers such as Mark Audio Alpair 7P in a "Pensil" cabinet.  Smooth response with very nice extension at both ends.  Doesn't take much power but tey are good enough to expose the quality of the electronics and cables in the chain.    
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