BEST SPEAKER THAT COMES TO LIFE AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS

do not ignore documented science, ANY darn good speaker, essentially flat at normal volumes, will sound like it has weak lows and weak highs at very low volume. It doesn’t, your ears sensitivity changes at low volume.

https://www.izotope.com/en/learn/what-is-fletcher-munson-curve-equal-loudness-curves.html?srsltid=AfmBOorT6xVQNLA5aCeK5tp-Q5XexV1F5_1gWwA1imER0w5nP0bghaZB

IF a speaker sounds good at very low volumes, without compensation, then it has to have weak mids, i.e. boosted lows and boosted highs, exactly what is needed for the majority of human’s ears as documented by Fletcher Munson.

Played at normal volumes, it would sound boomy and too bright at the same time, i.e. it’s weak mids would be revealed by your ears when they are at their normal volume sensitivity.

All kinds of features have disappeared during 'pure' 'direct' 'minimal' trends, and frankly now getting away with the low cost of missing features.

I'm 76, in my youth ALL equipment came with 'loudness' compensation, both a stupid name (it's low volume compensation) and often very poorly implemented and explained. Balance, tone, Stereo/Mono/REV mode switches ..... tape or processor loops, all gone in a lot of todays offerings

To get remote volume of any non-remote equipment, in my case my full-featured McIntosh mx-110z tube tuner preamp, I use a Chase Remote Line Controller RLC-1. Aside from remote volume and balance, it it has automatic and progressive bass boost for very low volume use. It requires proper understanding and use, but it's implementation works perfectly for me. It doesn't boost the highs, I find maintaining the bass is what keeps music involving for me the rare times I listen that low.

1. "Any recommendations would be appreciated. Due to age and ear issues I can listen comfortably at 55-60 dbs and not much louder."

Why spend 15 grand if you only listen at 60 db maximum?

60 decibels (dB) is equivalent to a normal conversation level¹². It is roughly the same as two people having a conversation 3 feet apart². If something is advertised to be below 60 dB, it is quieter than normal speech, while anything above 60 dB may drown out your voice

Large efficient speakers are what I would be looking at. Horns with big bass drivers. 

Headphones. 

this is the lowest price for a working Chase RLC-1 I have seen since I’ve been buying them (I have 4, got another 3 for friends)

Chase RLC-1 with Remote, $50. delivered, just listed

Your system, your existing speakers, any future speakers, will sound more involving at low volumes.

You must have a remote, no controls on the box

unplugged/plugged in all lights blink restores it’s defaults: everything centered, no boost. Adjust your preamp for ’normal’ listening volume. leave the preamp’s volume there for ever.

up, use the chase, no compensation

dn, use the chase, after you go below the default volume, the Chase automatically and Progressively begins bass boost. back up, the boost lessens and back to zero boost at it’s default volume.

I only use 1 in/out but it has 4 line in and two identical out (front and rear are identical, from the early quad era of simply 4 speakers in a room with a fader)

If you don’t like it, I’ll buy it from you.

variety of uses

1. main system, select source at preamp; preamp out to chase to amp, all it’s features, remote balance: once you have it, you will not want to live without it.

2. office, I just use it for remote system power (I switched rear outlet), saves me walking around my desk, that’s it, the Luxman Integrated has it’s own remote volume, manual balance and manual input switch, I have to get up to put a tape or lp on anyway

3. garage/shop: alternate use thru the processor loop of my Yamaha receiver for remote volume and mute while working on projects down there. I can listen with or without it instantly, there is no way anyone has ever been able to detect these in any of my systems over the years, just the benefits of it's features.