In Reply to: Low volume speaker recommendations? posted by robertd on August 16, 2012 at 17:47:32:
Always wanted to hear a pair of Thiels set up properly - there's something so good about what they do, but every pair I've heard came close to making my ears bleed.
What's good:
Quad ESL 57s - best whisper-level speakers I've ever heard. Never heard the later Quads, which are probably just as good or better.
I've also enjoyed the ProAC Studio 100s at low levels, and the "one-note" aspect of their ported design seems less objectionable when they're played really low... or really loud. Strange, that. Great near-fields; have the woofers at ear level with the speakers pointed right at your head and four feet away.
Hon. mention to the tiny and dirt cheap Braun/ADS L300. Give 'em the best little amp you can find, tube or s/s, and they will surprise you. Toss the grills though - they really do get in the way. Don't know why, but the mid-sized Brauns never did anything for me; it's either the L300, the big L710, or the amazing internally tri-amped LV1020. Gotta love those sticky domes!
Also enjoyable at a low levels are the second version (after s/n 7500) of the old Spica TC-50, especially if you have a carefully integrated subwoofer. You can spot the later version by the small square opening behind the grill for the tweeter; the earlier version had a bigger rectangular cutout. The slightly larger and generally un-loved ported TC-60 did quite well at low levels by itself.
WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.
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Follow Ups
- ESL57 & Braun L300 - Bill Way 14:33:16 08/20/12 (1)
- RE: ESL57 & Braun L300 - robertd 19:45:48 08/20/12 (0)