Listening at lower volumes

[ianshreeve27@]

I live in a flat with no sound insulation so tend to listen at lower volumes (no idea what that might be in decibels, but the knob on my Arcam Alpha 7 rarely gets past 9 o'clock). Is it possible to still create a sound stage and separation and placement of instruments at these low volumes (for sensible money!) or would that require real high end kit to achieve?

 

[abacus]

As volume gets lower the ear becomes less sensitive to bass and treble which robs the music of its dynamic range,(Google Fletcher Munson curves for full details) therefore you will need some form of EQ (There is a reason older amps had bass and treble controls) to correct it.
Apart from the above I recommend you get a good set of headphones, as you can then listen at a normal volume without worrying about the neighbour's.

Bill

 

[Jasonovich]

I live in a flat with no sound insulation so tend to listen at lower volumes (no idea what that might be in decibels, but the knob on my Arcam Alpha 7 rarely gets past 9 o'clock). Is it possible to still create a sound stage and separation and placement of instruments at these low volumes (for sensible money!) or would that require real high end kit to achieve?

Get yourself a high quality headphones and possibly a decent headphone Amp 😀

If you're on a budget the FiiO FT1s are first class or if you're planning to splash out, check out the Planar Magnets from Hifiman, Audeze, FiiO etc. or Dynamic drivers from Sennheiser, Bayerdynamics, Focal etc.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

All Hi-Res albums should be played at recording volume and not higher than that. So, should the amplifier be able to play at volumes which the digital track has been set to maximum and not above it. And the volume can be only lowered for the specific listening sessions. Using a hi-tech audio codec that’s compatible with the amplifier and the audio track having the volume information stored in the file just like the album’s digital cover art which can be stored within the file. Especially for home use. And the audio files can be different for outdoor commercial use in playing at higher volumes.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

It's nothing to do with needing high end kit at lower volumes. At lower volumes the distortion from the amp is going to be much harder to hear anyway. But so are small details which help create soundstage. No way around that really. You could use headphones instead but they don't really create much soundstage.

I would just enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

It's nothing to do with needing high end kit at lower volumes. At lower volumes and distortion from the amp is going to be much harder to hear anyway. But so are small details which help create soundstage. No way around that really. You could use headphones instead but they don't really create much soundstage.

I would just enjoy it for what it is.

When you watch full 4K videos, do you change the video settings like saturation, color, hue etc before viewing? No, the TV displays the video content of the information stored in the file in true form.
So, digital Hi-Fi systems too should have a full handshake of the stored information included volume information stored and reproduced in full, just like TV’s are capable of producing the exact video content as recorded and edited and differs only with type of display technology being used like OLED or IPS panels.

 

[RoA]

Sit more 'near field' at low volume and sound stage etc will improve

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

Sit more 'near field' at low volume and sound stage etc will improve

With tabletop/desktop WiFi music radio boxes, it is possible, but not with Hi-end audio setups in listening to Hi-Res music, though.

 

[daytona600]

..Use Hedd 07 Active monitors on my desktop for 6/8 hours per day
Used in near field sitting 2feet away
Huge Vast soundstage & Pin point imaging at very low volumes you can almost " hear into the recording "
If required sit back at few feet & they will play @ 114db at 1 metre if required

 

[RJW232]

With tabletop/desktop WiFi music radio boxes, it is possible, but not with Hi-end audio setups in listening to Hi-Res music, though.

Why not? I tried a near field setup with my old Castle Howard speakers and it sounded amazing. Hardly any room interaction. Near field is always associated with small speakers but it isn't limited to that.

 

[RoA]

Why not? I tried a near field setup with my old Castle Howard speakers and it sounded amazing. Hardly any room interaction. Near field is always associated with small speakers but it isn't limited to that.

Indeed. Near field is not limited to desktop use. The only difference is that some pro monitor dispersion characteristics can be more optimized for that particular application but even some of them can be used in free/mid field.

I too, at my previous home, had a rather non-optimized set up where I was sitting perhaps 1.5 to 2 meters from the speakers. It sounded great. In fact it sounded much better than in my current, larger (square) room with a pronounced room mode and reflection issues and with me sitting further away.

 

[Jasonovich]

..Use Hedd 07 Active monitors on my desktop for 6/8 hours per day
Used in near field sitting 2feet away
Huge Vast soundstage & Pin point imaging at very low volumes you can almost " hear into the recording "
If required sit back at few feet & they will play @ 114 at 1 metre if required
View attachment 9115

Same here, with their cousin ADAM A7V Active Studio Near field Monitor speakers 🙂
How do you keep everything so tidy!! Ha ha ha 🤣

 

[Friesiansam]

Get yourself a high quality headphones and possibly a decent headphone Amp 😀

This^^^

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

Indeed. Near field is not limited to desktop use. The only difference is that some pro monitor dispersion characteristics can be more optimized for that particular application but even some of them can be used in free/mid field.

I too, at my previous home, had a rather non-optimized set up where I was sitting perhaps 1.5 to 2 meters from the speakers. It sounded great. In fact it sounded much better than in my current, larger (square) room with a pronounced room mode and reflection issues and with me sitting further away.

Yes, and that’s why all hi-end Hi-Fi amplifiers should be sold for use based on only one defined distance from the speakers for listening at a volume that’s hardware locked and only played at different recording volumes of the Hi-Res albums which is lower than the locked volume, irrespective of the room size. And any need to listen beyond that defined distance, won’t be able to increase the volume, instead, should look at other options like ceiling speakers or WiFi speakers.
And only the whole audio system from the same brand could deliver such results, for ease of manufacturing and usage.

 

[Friesiansam]

Yes, and that’s why all hi-end Hi-Fi amplifiers should be sold for use based on only one defined distance from the speakers for listening at a volume that’s hardware locked and only played at different recording volumes of the Hi-Res albums which is lower than the locked volume, irrespective of the room size. And any need to listen beyond that defined distance, won’t be able to increase the volume, instead, should look at other options like ceiling speakers or WiFi speakers.
And only the whole audio system from the same brand could deliver such results, for ease of manufacturing and usage.

Sorry but, that’s ridiculous. You’re effectively saying that, all HiFi components should be designed to exactly match your preferences.

 

[RoA]

Yes, and that’s why all hi-end Hi-Fi amplifiers should be sold for use based on only one defined distance from the speakers for listening at a volume that’s hardware locked and only played at different recording volumes of the Hi-Res albums which is lower than the locked volume, irrespective of the room size. And any need to listen beyond that defined distance, won’t be able to increase the volume, instead, should look at other options like ceiling speakers or WiFi speakers.
And only the whole audio system from the same brand could deliver such results, for ease of manufacturing and usage.

I can't figure out if you're serious

 

[Gray]

I can't figure out if you're serious

Truly unique is what he is.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

Sorry but, that’s ridiculous. You’re effectively saying that, all HiFi components should be designed to exactly match your preferences.

To match the Hi-Res albums recorded volume that’s mastered and published in the Studio and uploaded to a datacentre that’s only accessible to Hi-Fi manufacturers to integrate into their systems to search and download albums on their respective hardwares for music listening at home.

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

I can't figure out if you're serious

It’s going to happen very soon. 🙂

 

[Kenneth Fernandes]

Truly unique is what he is.

It’s going to be very interesting when implemented by manufacturers and I’m excited too😊
I don’t work in this industry, though, and I’m hoping it becomes a reality soon. 🙂

 

[Al ears]

It’s going to be very interesting when implemented by manufacturers and I’m excited too😊
I don’t work in this industry, though, and I’m hoping it becomes a reality soon. 🙂

Nothing like a dreamer..... 🙂

 

[RTHerringbone]

It's the nuttiest of nutty suggestions so far 😆🤯

 

[SeattleChris]

I've got a good system but a small listening room with speakers 4' apart on stands on my desk. The sound is awful anywhere but in the sweet spot 4' from the speakers, where it's fantastic. Volume does not need to be too high to get a good soundstage. Also support the headphone suggestion!

 

[Jasonovich]

I've got a good system but a small listening room with speakers 4' apart on stands on my desk. The sound is awful anywhere but in the sweet spot 4' from the speakers, where it's fantastic. Volume does not need to be too high to get a good soundstage. Also support the headphone suggestion!

Day time play your speakers at normal volume levels and at night go nuts on your headphones 🙂

 

[Amormusic]

In answer to the OP. Don't stress, I too don't play loud, often. My system sounds great at lower volumes.

An Alpha 7 whilst an older amp should be fine through the range of volume (I had an Alpha 9 some years ago and really enjoyed it). Therefore I would just enjoy it as you are at your preferred volume. Or pick up some headphones as suggested if you want to blast your eardrums every now and then.