Vandersteen fans..need your input (TREO CT)


Hey Guys, I love my TREO CTs, but I feel like they don’t really start to shine until I crank up the volume to 85dBs or higher. I feel like the details are missing at lower volumes. I know I have a lot of acoustic issues in my space, but generally speaking, at what volumes do you guys listen to your system. Just to give you an idea of my system, I’m using an Ayre AX-5/20 integrated, Aurender N100H streamer, Denafrips Terminator DAC (also an Ayre Codex DAC), AQ Earth XLR cables and AQ GO4 double run bi-wire speaker cables. Any of you guys do low volume listening...like the when your family is a sleep. Any general tips to improve the low volume listening experience? I suspect I would benefit the most getting room treatments but it’s not an option for me at the moment sharing the living room.  Thanks in advance.
Also, check out this link on youtube, it’s rare to see TREO CTs in videos on the web.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zKxBalxq1c
nycjlee

Showing 3 responses by dweller

I agree with tomcarr regarding room treatment. At the very least, walk around your room clapping your hands. Listen for any echoes.
Tack up some foam panels (try Guitar Center or Home Depot) on ONE of the walls producing echoes. Makes a difference!
I've found that low volume listening depends on your amp's power supply. A well designed "stiff" power supply will provide details and dynamic contrasts down to the lowest level. If you always think that you must increase volume to hear details, you probably need a new amp.
"I've learned that hearing is a complex sense." 
I've recently learned (YouTube?) that there are something like a hundred nerves coming from your brain to your ears and one going from your ears to your brain (!). This means that your hearing is not a passive function but is "shaped" by your current situation/needs. When you are auditioning speakers, your mind tries to "predict" how you will respond to the speakers in your home situation. Also, your mind tries to compare the new speakers to your current ones. Lots of stuff going on simultaneously.