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Speakers for low-level listening

My listening area is in an open family room (not ideal, I know, but no other option at present). This means much of my late evening listening in at low levels.

I am presently running B&W 804d4 speakers with a McIntosh MA352 hybrid integrated amp. I like the combination of these components, but the B&Ws seem to lose some detail and sparkle at low listening levels. What comparable floor standing speakers would offer superior low level listening SQ?

I am considering Focal Sopra 2 or perhaps even AK6 Klipschorns (I previously had Klipsch Cornwalls and found them very enjoyable for low level listening). I am especially interested in insights from anyone who has paired McIntosh amplification with either of these speakers or others that performed exceptionally well at low listening levels. 

lance348
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,520 posts
 

Triangle Delta or Alphas.

james633
1,037 posts
 

JBL 4367 is as detailed as the 804D4 in the mids and highs and more detailed in the bass. I find them very enjoyable at whisper volume to rock concert levels. They almost seem immune to volume change. It is a much more refined speakers than the Klispch Cornwall. The box is better, the drivers are MUCH better, the horn is more damped, the frequency response is smooth off axis. If you want more highs at at low volume you can add a bit with the switched in the front. 
 

I am using a Mac MC462. Demoed the whole Klispch line and B&W D4 line on Mac gear. I am also a former owner of B&W, Focal, and Klispch. A friend of mine has corner horns and I would not recommend them to anyone for serious listing. They are more of a novelty speaker imo. 

freediver
1,216 posts
 

Time for you to enter the wonderful world of headphones!

yyzsantabarbara
4,887 posts
 

The headphone suggestion is the best one. I work very late at night (1-2AM) and my headphones keep me going and motivated to stay up. I usually start the phones around 9PM.

I can recommend 3 headphones that are top if the heap. A few days ago, I bought the RAAL SR1a for the second time. This phone is the most 2-channel like of the 3 and maybe of all headphones. It is called an earphone and not a headphone due to the way it is placed on your head.

  • The RAAL CA-1a is a killer phone for the price (under $2k)
  • The RAAL 1995 Immanis is considered amongst the very phones, but it is $10k.
  • The RAAL SR1a or SR1b is a mini 2-channel system on your ears. I never should have sold it in the first place and have corrected that mistake (and made some profit)

Your MAC integrated amp will drive the CA-1a and the SR1a well. The Immanis may not be a good match if the amp is too powerful. RAAL has the TI-1b adapter that will interface with the MAC integrated.

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