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  3. 193047-112139

SPEAKERS THAT SOUND ALIVE & DYNAMIC AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS

  1. Seeking speakers that sound alive and dynamic at 55 dbs with occasional peaks at 60 dbs. Headphones do not work for me. My ears were just tested and ENT advised my ears are normal for a 72 year old. He said that I have normal age related hearing loss. My ears are uncomfortable when I listen over 55 dbs.  My current system is as follows:

Martin Logan11A impression loudspeakers with 2 SVS 4000 subs. 

Bryston 4B3 Cubed power amp & Bryston BP-19 preamp.

Chord Qutest Dac-with LHY linear power supply.   

Lumin U2 mini  streamer with S Booster power supply.

Before I change speakers I plan to upgrade my DAC to Weiss 204 with Linear power supply, and then purchase Schitt Audio Loki Max equalizer (to boost bass and treble) hopefully to counteract Fletcher Munson Curve.

Finally I was thinking of Klipsch Forte 4 & Cornwall 4, and Frigg 2 by O Audio, as

reviews of all three say they all sound great at low volumes.   I know many say Klipsch is not high end or very revealing, but is there anybody out there that owns or has heard any of the above. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I enjoy this hobby and the great music it brings to the table. I don't want to stop listening and just seeking to find a solution that would allow me to continue musical enjoyment.

Thanks for your thoughts.
 

 

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Showing 2 responses by carlsbad2

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,996 posts
 

Your ML electrostats are one of the best options for low level listening. I have 2 suggestions for you:

1. Change amps to perhaps a tube amp or a first watt, an amp designed to sound good at less than one watt, which is where you are listening.

2. Get hearing aids that have a hifi music setting. costco sells the PHillips which are a good choice. the hifi music setting gets rid of any programming designed to help you undersand your spouses voice and simply flattens out the frequency spectrum. your current hearing is lacking in highs and probably some gaps in the mids which makes music sound lifeless. the hearing aids will put life back into the music. You’ll want to turn off the hifi music setting for other activities. for example, a restaurant sounds obnoxiously noisy.

Jerry

PS  Don't sell your Qutest right away.  It is a very good dac and you may find your upgrade isn't an upgrade.

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,996 posts
 

@deep_333 I have long been intrigued by that speaker pictrued but have never heard it. At 103 dB/watt is should excell at low volumes. I do worry that it doesn’t have the mid bass driver that this manufacturer usually uses. However, the designer prides himself on a flat frequency response so I’m sure he has it figured out. I do have a lot of experience with this brand (although not in my system right now) and the low mass midrange array is one of the best upper midrange performers I’ve ever heard and it does sound great at low levels.

Jerry

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