[listenermark]

I'm doing a lot of near field, low volume listening lately.  As I write this, my "check mate" spl meter says I am rocking out in the mid 50's.  Any suggestions for cheap and cheerful speakers that present a full and dynamic sound at lower volumes (i will be using a sub or two to support the low end, so bottom extension isn't important.)  I've recently tried the Micca MB42X (89 bucks at Amazon) and, to my surprise, quite liked them.  The Sony Sscs5's are also good at low volume to my ear.  What else?

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I suspect that speakers with a sensitivity of 89db and higher will sound better at low volumes but in my experience, it is usually the electronics that play a large role in music sounding good at low volumes.  Many of the AVA HiFi gear sounds good at low volumes.  I had a Pass Labs X1 preamp that sounded great at low volumes with my Pass X250 amp and Magnepan speakers.  I sold the X1 and bought a BAT preamp.  The BAT sounds much better but it is not great at low volumes like the Pass X1.

[Letitroll98]

Greyhound gives excellent suggestions.  The most important speaker characteristic for good low level listening is sensitivity.  Look for high sensitivity as your first factor of consideration.  The amp also makes a difference, the British low power high prat integrateds come to mind.  Here's a great article that is halfway to an ad, but still gives good info.
https://blog.audiot.co.uk/blog/2023/9/21/great-hi-fi-for-listening-at-low-volume#:~:text=To%20ensure%20an%20excellent%20sound,knob%20has%20barely%20ventured%20clockwise.

[lokie]

I found it good to have easily adjustable subwoofers to "turn up" when listening to low volume music.

I am trying to figure out the best way to ingrate a remote volume control into my sub system mostly for low level listening.
 

[viggen]

I know on my altec speakers, I can adjust down on the lpad to reduce hf then turn up the amp's volume a bit to get a fuller sound at lower listening levels.

[richidoo]

Large woofers have better acoustic impedance at low freqs than modern WAF speakers. So they play louder and lower, effectively extending the FR at same SPL, compared to small woofers.

Many vintage speakers had large woofers and are still available on various classified ads, keeping with cheap and cheerful theme.

If you want more modern "high end" SQ with satisfying bass at low volumes, consider Legacy Audio larger models, like Focus.

[Digi-G]

I can't explain it but I noticed when I added the Denafrips Pontus 12th to my system the low volume sounds much better.  My speakers are GR Research NX Studios, so maybe it's the combination.  But low volume listening definitely has body and bass now.  It didn't before.

It's kinda weird - if we have people over in the family / listening room (having a conversation) and I turn the volume down, it still sounds too loud. I don't know the db levels but it has to go much lower than before to not feel intrusive.  Not good for conversations but great for listening to music.

[viggen]

when i upgraded from ares to pontus, i instantly noticed much more energy in the sound the first second i turned the pontus on.  more air, wider soundstage etc etc.  i think it has to do with the much larger psu it uses compared to the tiny one in ares.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

when i upgraded from ares to pontus, i instantly noticed much more energy in the sound the first second i turned the pontus on.  more air, wider soundstage etc etc.  i think it has to do with the much larger psu it uses compared to the tiny one in ares.

That is not surprising.  I had a Marantz NA 11s1 DAC that had this fabulous midrange and it was extremely dynamic and forward sounding in my system.  It sounded great at low volumes but turned up it was too forward.  It was a shame that I had to return it because the midrange and piano was the best that I have heard.  It just was not a good match for my system.

[FullRangeMan]

That is not surprising.  I had a Marantz NA 11s1 DAC that had this fabulous midrange and it was extremely dynamic and forward sounding in my system.  It sounded great at low volumes but turned up it was too forward.  It was a shame that I had to return it because the midrange and piano was the best that I have heard.  It just was not a good match for my system.

Sounds a perfect DAC for my personal taste.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Sounds a perfect DAC for my personal taste.

It was one of the top 5 sounding DAC's that I have heard.  It was not a good match for my BAT preamp.  I wish I kept it just for the way the piano sounded.  The piano on the Marantz was full bodied, had great detail, tone and texture.  It had this incredible decay that just went on forever.  Marantz gear, especially the KI Ruby gear has the best midrange and piano that I have heard.  KI loved a romantic midrange and all the gear he designed shared this.  Too bad he has passed on.

I love the higher end Marantz gear.  I think their higher end stuff is way undervalued.  When I down size, I am going to visit their reference gear again.  I almost bought a Marantz PM KI Ruby Integrated.  My son looked at buying one but it did not have a subwoofer out.  I passed on it for the same reason as I use dual subs.  It is a fabulous sounding integrated.

[Poultrygeist]

My favorite low cost near field speakers are the Paul Carmody designed Overnight Sensations. I bought my easy to build kit from Parts Express a few years ago when they were priced at $100 and now they sell for $159. In near field on tall stands they sound great with a 2.5 watt APPJ single ended amp at low volume.