BEST SPEAKER THAT COMES TO LIFE AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS

OP

You said "due to age and ear issues", so I am assuming you already have had your hearing tested, perhaps already use hearing aids some or most of the time .....

IF not, I also recommend having your hearing evaluated. Fully normal, or using hearing aids: Fletcher Munson compensation is still needed for low volume listening. Other hearing issues and solution may ALSO be needed.

If you rode the NYC subways in the 60's, or if past 50 years old, more than likely you will find age related reduced sensitivity to high frequencies, and like me, you may find other differences, in my case a life long hereditary thickening of a bone was revealed along with age related (I'm 76) diminished sensitivity to highs,

My experience: got prescription for from my GP; had them inspected and cleaned by ENT specialist who then gave me a prescription for a professional audiologist who gave me a print-out chart of the test results and a couple of cost estimates, $5k; $6k..

I searched online found free testing by a 2nd professional audiologist, they programmed a demo pair, holy smokes what a difference, left with a test chart and a few cost options, $6k; $7k.

Costco Hearing Centers are Excellent, top models only $1,600.

After online research, I knew they were a good option, joined for $60. They were as equipped and professional as the audiologists, and offer only the top models of 3 makers: Philips; Rexton; Jabra, 6 months trials. I tried Philips 9040's, compared Rexton walking around the store, they upgraded me during the trial period to Philips 9050. They work fully with Apple and Partially with Android Smart Phones. Very good, it was a hard choice, at the 98th day of Audicus Trial, I chose the Audicus Omni 2. 

Work Fully with Apple and partially or fully with Android:

Tap your ear lobe to answer and tap to end a call is one feature, and using the mic on the hearing aid for calls (rather than the mic in the phone) means I can answer a call without opening my flip phone, turn my head, walk around, even out of the room when on the phone. The phone connects to the car, and I may have the convertible top down, the Audicus sounded better to callers. 

Audicus.com

My final choice. $1,900. Mostly online, give them your test chart or take their online test. video zoom appts, far better pricing, 100 day trial. I'm close enough to one of only a few of Audicus's physical offices in NYC, took my test results, they fit me with a pair of Omni Series 2, they work fully with both Apple and my Android, as well as sound terrific, including their Music, and Live Music modes which I found preserved the wide frequency range and imaging of my system better than Philips 9040 or 9050 which are very good, you may prefer either, it's that close.

As others have already said, FLETCHER MUNSON

Oh how I wish I’d known about Fletcher Munson when I was flipping speakers! I went through everything from little Harbeth P3ES to their biggest M40.1 to giant Tannoy FSM with 2 x 5” cones per box! From Focals to Transmission Lines…

I never found a speaker that satisfied me at low volumes!

IMHO, the options are :

- Adjust your Subs to your taste. That’s what I do.

- Get an amp with a Boost button or get some form of EQ.

- Use Headphones.

Or….if you never listen above 60db, have you ever tried something like a Cambridge Audio EVO One or Naim Muso?   Single box with speakers inside.   You might be pleasantly surprised & be quids in when you sell your existing kit.

Good luck!

@kjl1065 

A little of "out of the box thinking," do yourself a favor and try a home audition of either Shunyata's Everest or Typhont T2/Denali combo conditioners. I do listen at a low level quite frequently and was astonished at what my Typon/Denali combination did to my system; the low-level presentation was undoubtedly one of the many highlights. I never understood what a 'blacker background' meant in audio parlance; now I do!

I've heard MC Audio TL-12's at low volumes and they sounded excellent.  Worth a listen if you're near PA as they offer auditions.

I’m in the same boat as the op. I have tried many options. Now I have TAD ME1 speakers, TAD C600 preamp, TAD M1000 amp, Lampi Baltic 4. Shunyata delta hydra 6 conditioner, Skogrand Tchaikovsky cables. I will demo Dutch and Dutch active speakers and may save a lot of money with not worse results considering I listen to 60 to max 75db due to neighbours.