Listening volume

Schu,

I've seen only on e pair here recently, that is now gone, a very nice custom finished pair of Walsh 5 100 mkIII (same drivers as mine), but custom new cabinetry. I don't recall the price exactly but I think not much more than what I paid for refurb, so I thought that to be a steal. They were very nice looking, custom Bubinga finish and marble bases I recall perhaps?

All Walsh models go loud and clear with proper amplification as I describe. Even my original Walsh 2s from 1983 never blinked, even when used outdoors at quite high volume (with just a good 80w/ch Tandberg receiver at the time). Sound in newer models tend to be more refined, focused and detailed to various degrees compared to originals, and more competitive sonically overall with other well regarded contemporary lines, but any originals in good working order going for market used prices is a very good value, if going loud and clear without strain breakup or noticeable compression is something you seek. Not to mention the unique advantages of the wide range/wide dispersion, Walsh-based omni design, ie huge sweet spot and excellent coherency top to bottom.

At the prices some OHMs go for, every audiophile should have a pair, just in order to be able to hear something completely different for a change when desired, if nothing more, just like a decent pair of headphones. :^)

There is a pr of Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grands near me that has my wallet itching as well-LOL.

I find that when you get a system sounding right, you're less likely to listen at higher volumes. Volume can be used to in an attempt to compensate for a system's weak spots.

ZD,

Perhaps, but I think it is also true that realistic volume
levels suits music best. It is not so hard to get a system
to play well at low volume for less cost. Playing loud
well does not come as easy,especially in larger rooms, and
will usually involve some additional cost.

Myself, I want it to sound as best it can at all levels.
Only my main personal reference setup can do that in a
larger room of all the stuff I run in my house (I'm a little
nuts this way). The rest is limited in comparison but does
just fine for what I need there, usually at much lower
volumes.

Mapman, e-mail me please: b_limozaine@yahoo.com. I have some ohm questions, and you seem to always be talking about how much you love them!

Back to the o.p. I've been listening at very low levels lately and I'm not exactly sure why. It may be that my set-up now has more resolution so I get all the micro details and nuances at a low level...??

I used to shake the whole dang room. No joke, I was reinforcing the windows and doors in my room so they wouldn't rattle, lol. Larely though, I listen at very quiet levels; I'm guessing in the 70db-80db range. Kinda strange. Went from 100db techno to 80db jazz and classical...