The Low Volume Loudness Dilemma

I am of the opinion that speaker efficiency need not matter as long as the amp is up to the task of driving the speakers to maximum performance. Granted that is an easier job for many amps with speakers that present an easy load to drive (Fritz speakers are an example of easy to drive yet not particularly efficient) as opposed to being more efficient, which is different. More efficient just means louder overall with fewer watts which is a non issue for low volume listening.

+1 @bruce19

Would love to see more standard filter settings like those to deal with loudness delivered with Roon. Anything to make the tremendous power of Roon DSP easier for the masses to apply properly.

Also with Roon for lower volumes I find turning on headroom management to be a useful option.

Why limit to either loud or low levels listening? DSP if digital or even simple analog eq otherwise solves the problem. You can have it all! Do one’s self a favor in 2024 and Don’t let yourself get boxed in by outdated audiophile concepts from 40 years ago that prohibit obvious solutions. Best to get with the times ( and corresponding modern technology).

No doubt digital eq (dsp) provides ultimate flexibility. Traditional analog is limited. Understanding Fletcher Munson first is the key. Also room acoustics bass mode frequencies in particular. Use a sound meter app and white noise to detect those.

Ironic that every system sounds different,  even with “purists”

Compression and parametric eq/DSP is your friend. Forget about “purists”. Do whatever it takes to address whatever problem is at hand.  That’s what technology is for.   One must merely learn how to apply it properly case by case.