Speaker recommendations at Low Volume, to pair with N272 & 250DR

Check out the harbeth shl 5+. Great speakers for low volume listening.

I find that the Spendor SP2s work well in that regard.

(And it's not a brand loyalty thing either, because the Spendor A5s are just the opposite!)

However it woulds be a good idea to give a lot more information
Location (room size)
Equipment (UQ2 ... 500 series?)
Genres of music
etc.

Then you may get some useful answers.

P.S.  SP2s are very easy to drive and will work on a UQ2 even though they're twice the cost of a UQ2!

I haven't heard them on the end of that system but one of the reasons I chose my Focal 926s was that sq was still excellent at low volume (and at high volumes too when they just seem to get louder without the overall sound changing too much)

Neat speakers are very communicative at all volume levels. I'm most familiar with the momentum range SX3i / SX51 which would work very well with 272/250. This isn't a recommendation based on personal  ownership though, I like to play at reasonable levels and have Dynaudio Contours which need some welly to  come to life.

I am only a week into using a pair of Ovator s600's having had a pair of the S400's previously but they do seem very good at low as well as high volumes. They are able to create a very large and detailed sound at a low volume. They may even stop me getting into trouble with SWMBO!

Steve, apologies I just realise you specified your equipment in the thread title.  The new forum is just so messed up that a for a dyslexic such as myself, it's almost impossible to pick up on things like that.

Agree the Harbeth HL5+ is a great choice. A wonderful sound at low volume.

My Kudos X2s are certainly the best speakers I've owned for low volume listening - not that I've owned that many. I think the ability of the power amp to control the speakers is equally important at low volumes, but I'm sure you're on safe ground with your 250DR. Are your current speakers a problem in this respect? 

Leith posted:

I am only a week into using a pair of Ovator s600's having had a pair of the S400's previously but they do seem very good at low as well as high volumes. They are able to create a very large and detailed sound at a low volume. They may even stop me getting into trouble with SWMBO!

 

Hmmmmm. One of the speakers that has been recommended is the S400. How do these perform at low volumes?

Should add, I'm looking at floor standers...unless I can be convinced otherwise!

Steve GTX posted:

Leith posted:

I am only a week into using a pair of Ovator s600's having had a pair of the S400's previously but they do seem very good at low as well as high volumes. They are able to create a very large and detailed sound at a low volume. They may even stop me getting into trouble with SWMBO!

 

Hmmmmm. One of the speakers that has been recommended is the S400. How do these perform at low volumes?

My S400's are Brilliant with a NAP200, I would love to hear them on a 250DR.

My ProAc D40R's sound full range at low levels and play really loud without ripping your ears off.  

You still haven't chosen to help yourself by telling us:
the size of room (and any other relevant listening conditions)
the music genres to which you listen

So to quote Dragon's Den "I'm out".

Fair point but don't leave me now ....................you will miss me!

The room is about 7m x 5m, carpeted and furnished in a rather attractive colour combination, where the red accents match my bloodshot eyes!

However, I may move it all into another room 6m x 6m that has, amongst other things, a bloody great big grand piano against one wall.

I listen to most genres, with a strong emphasis on Piano music of all types; closely followed by Jazz, Classical, Blues and Female Vocals but definitely no country music (there is a very crude joke about Dolly Parton putting the "C" word into country!). Rock, Prog Rock and Pop get a look in also.

Current speakers are Monitor Audio GR60's, that have come to life after investing in 272 & 250DR (from Musical Fidelity kit) but no so much at low volumes and I'm also getting a little resistance from SWIMBO, hence the investigation before I audition at home.

The S400's that we had previously were also good at low volume but the S600's are even better as one would expect. The S600's have a much greater 'out of the speaker' sound to them and work a lot better in off-axis situations. They just seem to fill the room with music even at low volume levels. We will often listen to music whilst having dinner in our dining room which leads off from the room with system in and the sound depth and detail is very good in there also. Once again the S400's also managed this admirably but the S600's seem to excel in this particular situation due to their enhanced off-axis capability.

They are quite a bit physically larger than the S400's but our room (approx 5m x 6m and L shaped) could accommodate them sensibly in the end (we were dubious as to whether it could when we first saw them in the flesh at the store). When we originally bought the S400's we discounted the S600's due to their size but with the help of our friendly Naim dealer we have recently had a home demo for approx a week of the S600's and now just under a year later have upgraded from the S400's to an ex-demo pair of S600's.

The boxes they come in are even huger but they can be broken down for storage (I know as I spent last evening doing just that!).

Considering an electrostatic loudspeakers? I use Quad 2812 with your configuration with great pleasure and especially with the music genders you mention are very good.

ESL are quite expansive, not for all. But there are around very good used pairs of old models. Even ex-demo with warrant from certified dealers.

Steve GTX posted:

However, I may move it all into another room 6m x 6m that has, amongst other things, a bloody great big grand piano against one wall. 

Wonderful to have a grand piano but not a good idea to have the Hi-Fi in the same room because the latter could excite resonances in the piano strings. You might have the piano playing along unintentionally!

Going back to your OP, you might like to consider PMC speakers. With many speakers, the bass seems to disappear at low volumes. Not so with PMC. I would also recommend them very highly for the genres of music that you listen to.

I'm getting great results with Kudos C20s, very good all round speaker and it's all there down low.

For context driven by 72/Hicap DR/200.

I've only heard S400's at a dealer's, driven by Naim amplification. The attribute that most impressed me was their commanding sound at low volume. They retain a dynamic presence played low that no other speaker I've heard can match. That was years ago when I considered them way out of my league. Now a s/h pair is on my demo horizon. It will be interesting to see if my listening room can capture that same magic.

Hi, although not the DR version of the 250, I find ATC SCM 19 mk ii work exceedingly well with the 250 at low volume.. much of my very late night listening is done at lower volume.. They also sound good at mid and high volume too

i am impressed how well the 250 works with many speakers at low volume, with the 200 I found I had to wind it up a bit with my ATCs.. Must be something to do with the control, grip and resolution of the 250.

Simon

bicela posted:

Considering an electrostatic loudspeakers? I use Quad 2812 with your configuration with great pleasure and especially with the music genders you mention are very good.

ESL are quite expansive, not for all. But there are around very good used pairs of old models. Even ex-demo with warrant from certified dealers.

I've not tried electrostatic - could be worth a look!

dsc posted:

Steve GTX posted:

However, I may move it all into another room 6m x 6m that has, amongst other things, a bloody great big grand piano against one wall. 

Wonderful to have a grand piano but not a good idea to have the Hi-Fi in the same room because the latter could excite resonances in the piano strings. You might have the piano playing along unintentionally!

Going back to your OP, you might like to consider PMC speakers. With many speakers, the bass seems to disappear at low volumes. Not so with PMC. I would also recommend them very highly for the genres of music that you listen to.

PMC have had great reviews but many say (on this forum) that they can be boring - I think that they are certainly worth a trial.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Hi, although not the DR version of the 250, I find ATC SCM 19 mk ii work exceedingly well with the 250 at low volume.. much of my very late night listening is done at lower volume.. They also sound good at mid and high volume too

i am impressed how well the 250 works with many speakers at low volume, with the 200 I found I had to wind it up a bit with my ATCs.. Must be something to do with the control, grip and resolution of the 250.

Simon

Thanks for the feedback but I think I would rather floor standers.

Having said that ATC make a great speaker - A good friend has them and they suite his listening room.

dsc posted:

Steve GTX posted:

However, I may move it all into another room 6m x 6m that has, amongst other things, a bloody great big grand piano against one wall. 

Wonderful to have a grand piano but not a good idea to have the Hi-Fi in the same room because the latter could excite resonances in the piano strings. You might have the piano playing along unintentionally!

 

Beware of square rooms, they are very likely to have poor acoustics.

Tell me about it!

I've had to install acoustic panels on the wall to stop the piano's harmonics bouncing around the room.