Gervais Cote
Predator
Sugden A48 mk2 is the way to go ! Problems solved.
This will be a step back for the look but maybe not so much for the sound, unless the transformer is humming.
What to do to get my system sounding better at lower volumes
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
This will be a step back for the look but maybe not so much for the sound, unless the transformer is humming.
dspatterson
pfm Member
This is dare i say it where active systems come into their own, i have my settings tweeked for my "relatively " low listening levels,
robs
should know how this works by no
It used to be called a loudness button - EQ. Haven't seen one recently, but liked mine!
https://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/the-loudness-button/
https://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/the-loudness-button/
Get an amp with a variable loudness control.
Before my need for more power I used a Crayon CFA1.2 which could be configured for loudspeaker efficiency. This enabled an option to apply a variable “loudness” at two low level points to give a “seamless” transition in sound from quiet to loud. It worked very well and I enjoyed listening at low levels.
JTC
PFM Villager...
Still around. My Luxman integrated, new in 2020, has one. Plus tone controlsIt used to be called a loudness button - EQ. Haven't seen one recently, but liked mine!
https://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/the-loudness-button/
Darth Vader
From the Dark Side
My NAD 3020e has an almost identical front panel except that my 'Loudness' button is labelled 'Low Level' and the 'Muting' button is labelled 'Mono'.It used to be called a loudness button - EQ. Haven't seen one recently, but liked mine!
https://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/the-loudness-button/
Still works although I did change the electrolytic caps some years ago when I could still see to solder.
Fun no?
DV
Mike Reed
pfm Member
Stand-mounts would, i.m.o., be the wrong way to go, as small speakers simply need welly to wake up. My big ESLs are pretty good at lower levels, but of course, don't have the bass that larger floor-mounts are capable of, which muddies the comparative waters somewhat
You have a competent amp, but I don't know your speakers, so maybe it's a synergy problem. I guess larger folded horns might give you the range at lower vol's (impulse/Dali, e.g.) and they don't need space behind if that's relevant to your room dimensions.
Not sure I agree with the tone control advocates here. They went out of fashion, esp. on classier kit, as they came to be considered less that purist; Naim comes to mind as an early instigator. I've not needed or wanted tone controls on my main system since forever, it seems; nor does my current valved pre. consider this facility worthwhile.
You have a competent amp, but I don't know your speakers, so maybe it's a synergy problem. I guess larger folded horns might give you the range at lower vol's (impulse/Dali, e.g.) and they don't need space behind if that's relevant to your room dimensions.
Not sure I agree with the tone control advocates here. They went out of fashion, esp. on classier kit, as they came to be considered less that purist; Naim comes to mind as an early instigator. I've not needed or wanted tone controls on my main system since forever, it seems; nor does my current valved pre. consider this facility worthwhile.
I don’t know about that. My Boenicke W5se’s sound more alive at low levels than my ART Emotion Signatures ever did. And that was using both with the Crayon. True for higher levels with the Boenickes I needed a more powerful amp yet they still sound wonderful at low levels. I now use a Marantz KI-Ruby which gives 200w into 4 ohms as opposed to the Crayons 90w.
ToTo Man
the band not the dog
Better quality amps will switch the tone controls out of the circuit when they are set to Flat or will provide a Tone Defeat/Source Direct button that does the same job, so signal degradation need not be a concern . Fortunately the Japanese don't share the same, misguided views on tone controls etc that was propagated by western manufacturers in the 80s and has unfortunately pervaded to the present day.
For the OP, however, a variable loudness control would be more effective than tone controls to improve low-level playback as the EQ contouring is automatically set to closely match to what our ears want to hear at a given SPL.
Curtis
pfm Member
It would help if you could elaborate on the loudness levels you are listening at.
A db app would at least give you an idea.
Loudness buttons etc help at relatively low level listening.
Chris81
pfm Member
That is because they have a loudness frequency response.
Cereal Killer
432
Some speakers with 90db+ which don’t dip below 4ohms will sort out the low volume tonal balance
ToTo Man
the band not the dog
I'm looking forward to the explanation for this one.
Johnjo
pfm Member
I’d seriously recommend trying a valve power amp or integrated. Your speakers were designed using one and based on a design that would have been too. I own a pair of the WD18s (like Heybrook HB2s) and the only time they really sang properly was on the end of a push-pull kt88 amp. They sound fine but a little lifeless on transistor amps. Being class A I’m guessing your Sugden has quite a high damping factor. Definitely worth a try. The WD amps can be had very reasonably used.
That is because they have a loudness frequency response.
I don’t know what that means!
Jim Audiomisc
pfm Member
They went out of 'fashion' for a number of reasons.
1) They made mince of many 'subjective' opinions spouted in magazines which were based on the specifics of the room acoustics, speakers, and taste of the reviewer.
2) Need to be implimented with care not to do more harm than good.
3) Saves money for a maker to omit them and say it is for 'sound quality' reasons.