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Which Component Has the Greatest Affect on Low-Level Listening

I'm looking to get out of HT 5.1 and go strictly to 2 ch.  I generally have music playing all day, often just sitting done to listen to certain tracks.  

I've read that "some" speakers don't sound "good" until high listening level, and also an integrated such the Luxman 505 don't sound good at low levels (is that the reason they include loudness?).

Which component, the amp or speaker, has the greatest impact on low level listening quality?
bgm1911

Showing 1 response by cakyol

cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 
You answered your own question while asking it.

It is amplifier with a loudness control.

It is admirable that amplifiers strive to provide a linear frequency response.  But that is completely the wrong pursuit.  Engineers knew this about 50 years ago when they were designing amplifiers.  Since humans listen to them, and human ear has a NON linear way of hearing frequencies, all amplifiers made for humans should all include a loudness control.

THAT is the most important component.  It can be adjusted to overcome the shortcomings of a turntable, speaker and what not.  You cannot say the same for any other component.

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