All the answers are here...low ambient noise, good 1st Watt, effective tone controls for shaping the source to sound balanced at your listening level, and controlling the room's reflectivity around the speakers. I disagree about needing high sensitivity speakers entirely. I would say a bigger factor is to have speakers that are not lacking in bass extension, b/c at low volumes, that exacerbates the lack. I agree with Erik in recommending looking at Yamaha...if the model has their variable loudness, like the AS701 or AS801. Interestingly, their new higher end models drop that feature...although they do have bass and treble controls (with unspecified characteristics). I have a vintage McIntosh C20 that has a fantastic variable loudness control that really works well.
Low volume listening dynamics
Hey all, question: I listen to music at a relatively low volume, but I still want the clarity to hear the details. So, will a high sensitivity speaker/driver (95 and above) give me more detail at lower volume than a less sensitive speaker? Or am I on the track in my logic (not the first time)? Or are my ears getting old? Thanks all!