Low level listening

It isn't just the speakers that sound good at low volume, it is the entire system.  The better the system, the less you need to turn it up.  you would benefit greatly by upgrading to one of what Tekton calls their "Flagship"--probably Moab, Encore, or Symphony would suit your needs.  

I find a great DAC and a Great tube amp with these high sensitivity speakers make listening at low levels even more enjoyable that high levels.

Jerry

Note: 5 of the 6 available have the remote

this one has no remote, like a door stop without the remote

 

The ’Loudness’ filter on all old vintage receivers solved the problem of listening at low volumes.

Note: ’Loudness’ is a stupid name, it should have been called Low Volume Boost, or something more descriptive.

 

Modern equipment skips the feature, a darn shame.

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This Chase Remote Line Control RLC-1 automatically engages the Fletcher Munson curve. 6 available on hifishark

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Proper way to use it:

1. You set it’s volume at it’s default volume setting (no loudness engaged). Unplug/Plug it in). Leave it alone while you do step 2.

2. you use your preamp, integrated amp to set your default ’normal volume’ leave it alone.

3. Now use only the RLC-1 to boost or cut volume.

4. Lowering volume via RLC-1 will begin implementing the ’Loudness’ Curve. As you lower volume further with RLC-1, it progressively engages the Fletcher Munson curve.

 

 

here’s one New In Box.

 

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NOTE: you must have the remote control. No active controls on the unit.

Other features:

a. 4 line level inputs

b. remote volume control, and mute

c. remote balance control

d. remote tone controls ’treble’ and ’bass’.

Also: two identical line level outputs.

On/off via RLC-1 retains your last adjustments.

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NOTE: Signal to Noise is 120db

No one can hear any difference in my system with it ’in’ or ’out’.

Not completely tongue in cheek:

very easy to assume that electrostats cannot sound loud at all -- not designed for that.

+1 

Electrostatic loudspeakers, the original Quad ESL in particular.

 

Electrostatic loudspeakers, the original Quad ESL in particular.

DBob,

I have the same issue and also have the LRS+ on order.

Elusive as the solution may be I think you are on the right track.

Higher efficiency speakers are a common suggestion. I had some

Altec Horn speakers which were probably the best low volume

speaker I have owned. 

Let's hope the LRS+ is an even better solution!!

 

 

@stereo5 What is the correct answer on this? If you have good watts and enough of them, I think enough watts to drive lower efficiency speakers would sound better at lower volume or at least possible tie with low watts - high efficiency, right? I think I will start a thread called Variables.

I would look for a pair of efficient speakers.  Something like 94db or higher.  Higher sensitivity speakers will sound more articulate at lower volume than lower sensitivity speakers.  

The Dali's are good. Currently my Labrador is looking to see where the hound in Pink Floyd's Seamus is at. I have the Opticon 8's.  A couple of strikes; They are not high efficiency so you have to have good watts. Strike two is there is not a lot of support. You are dealing with Denmark and very few distributors in U.S..

In my pursuit of low level listening I found Omega Speaker Systems to be a gem. Single driver, no crossover, perhaps paired with a SET.

@erik_squires , I just listened to a set of little Dynaudio Heritage speakers and was very impressed. They reminded me of LS3 5As with a little more bass. Beautiful image. $7K was a little steep so we wound up getting Harbeth P3ESR XDs, a better value at $3200.00. Subwoofers will be mandatory. This is my son in law's first system. 

Dali and some of the Dynaudio models are ideal.

For me, completely understanding the issue has been illusive. But different systems I have owned have definitely varied. In general, the better the system the less dependent on volume.

 

I have heard a lot of Maggie’s over the years. Those are, at least in my mind not speaker you want. To get dynamic presentation they need a lot of power… and often volume.

My favorite speakers for low volume are Totem. My Sonus Faber sound great at low volumes. But it is not just the speakers… it is also the electronics.