At 80 dB, a fairly loud average level your ears are down about 10dB at 30 Hz. It's significantly worse at lower levels. It's not the equipment. What you hear is what happens at low loudness levels. You need to equalize to get the affects you want at low levels or listen at higher levels. By the way ears are essentially level at 100 dB, way too loud as an average level for ear health.
Nearfield Low-Level Listening : New Speakers or EQ? Thoughts?
In my main rig, I listen nearfield at low levels, and I do not feel the music sounds fully engaging until moderate-to-loud volumes. Have been told my speakers, Totem Forest Signature, "need power to sing". I have ordered a Schiit Loki Max EQ; wondering if that will do the trick or do I need to consider new speakers? I use the Loudness/Comp feature on my integrated amp, it helps some. Listen to 70s, Jazz, Americana, ...
My System:
- Accuphase E-380 Integrated
- 180 watts into 4 ohms and 120 watts into 8 ohms.
- High damping factor of 500.
- Totem Forest Signature Speakers
- Impedance: 8 ohms (6.4 ohms minimum)
- Sensitivity: 87 dB
- Recommended Power: 50 - 225 watts
- Rose HiFi RS-150B Streamer/DAC
- Thorens 1601 TT, Schiit Skol Pre, Nagoaka Cart
- REL Classic 98 Subwoofer, Speakon connection
- XLR Connections, Bi-Wired Speakers
- Shunyata Power Conditioner