I have early 50s jazz tracks and they sound fabulous and compared to some newer jazz recordings they sound even more fabulous. Old recordings can be very good but maybe sometimes the sizzle on the cymbals is a bit harsh but passable as per listening fatigue. I'm not sure if the mastering process boosted the highs or if the recording process did it.
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Good sound , low volume?
- Thread starter stevensuf
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Most of the OBs I've heard (and mucked about with) sound a bit thin at very low volume. Very high Qts drivers can help, though. Placement may also ameliorate thinness to some extent.
I've never gotten interested enough in OBs to get too serious about them, though -- despite multiple dalliances.
Quoting because I think it bears repeating. I think people crank the volume or turn up the bass because they are trying to overcome limitations of their speakers, trying to hear things that aren't coming through clearly.
But at the same time, I object to boosting bass on songs that don't have bass!
To quote Wade, the crazy australian drummer of Dankpods Youtube channel (also The Drum Thing YT channel), "If you want more bass, listen to songs that have bass". Classic rock doesn't have bass....
LoL... I dislike fake bass but I do appreciate a good subwoofer(s). I dislike excessive bass so much I EQ out some of it. I use a crazy PEQ setting but it works for me through my earphones. - Don't do this at home, I am a trained professional... LoL.
ears-of-steel
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Couldn't agree more that some albums from the 50s and onwards sound just fabulous, it's just that unfortunately some others, for whatever reason don't sound that great at all ... sorry for not making that clear enough.
jjuggle
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It is difficult to define the characteristics of speakers that deliver good sound even at low volume, but I have summarized my thoughts as follows:
1. Speakers with lower sensitivity can reduce amplifier distortion at low volume levels.
2. Speakers with high sound pressure levels can produce sound more easily at low volume, and I understand that such speakers are more likely to deliver faithful sound resolution even at lower listening levels.
3. Although 4‑ohm speakers consume relatively more power compared to 8‑ohm speakers, their lower impedance provides better transient response and unit control, which allows them to perform well even in low‑volume environments.
4. A subwoofer reproduces the low‑frequency range faithfully, increasing the likelihood of satisfaction even at low volume. (For reference, in an apartment environment, it is the volume that disturbs neighbors, not the frequency range itself.)
Please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken in any of these points.
1. Speakers with lower sensitivity can reduce amplifier distortion at low volume levels.
2. Speakers with high sound pressure levels can produce sound more easily at low volume, and I understand that such speakers are more likely to deliver faithful sound resolution even at lower listening levels.
3. Although 4‑ohm speakers consume relatively more power compared to 8‑ohm speakers, their lower impedance provides better transient response and unit control, which allows them to perform well even in low‑volume environments.
4. A subwoofer reproduces the low‑frequency range faithfully, increasing the likelihood of satisfaction even at low volume. (For reference, in an apartment environment, it is the volume that disturbs neighbors, not the frequency range itself.)
Please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken in any of these points.
Amplifier distortion rises with volume level.
They may produce better dynamics but this plays no role for low volume levels. Often frequency response suffers though. The amplifier has to produce less power which means less distortion.
No. The power amp has less control over low impedance speakers due to its own output impedance.
Done.
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Sokel
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You know this big summer clubs which bang at really high SPL at night, like in Ibiza and such?
Has anyone notice how nice is the sound when they play for background at the morning, really low?
High sens PA speakers+amps who do not break a sweat and there you go.
And another, at really low levels some voltage divider pad or analogue attenuation might make more sense.
Has anyone notice how nice is the sound when they play for background at the morning, really low?
High sens PA speakers+amps who do not break a sweat and there you go.
And another, at really low levels some voltage divider pad or analogue attenuation might make more sense.
Ime a speaker that plays well at low volume has enough bass and a way to enhance it a little bit when volume goes down.
Our ears are less sensitive to bass than other frequencies. That's why ime a variable eq depending on volume level is so satisfying. Quite a few avrs have it. The rme adi dac has it. My speakers have it.
I would recommend it, especially if, like me, you usually listen at lower levels.
Our ears are less sensitive to bass than other frequencies. That's why ime a variable eq depending on volume level is so satisfying. Quite a few avrs have it. The rme adi dac has it. My speakers have it.
I would recommend it, especially if, like me, you usually listen at lower levels.
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