Although we look for speakers that sound best at high volumes, we often need to slow down. If you watch movies or listen to music at night, you are forced to turn the volume down. This is also true if you don’t want to disturb your friends in the dorm, neighbors or you have kids at home. KEF R3, Neumann KH 80 and Dayton Audio B652 are some of the best low volume speakers.
Speakers with high sensitivity are always preferred. Well-designed drivers delivering accurate and clear soundwaves are much needed. You can look into receivers like SA-8000X from Technics or Yamaha for loudness control. This will deal with the sound quality as you decrease the volume. According to some, speakers with deep bass extension.
You can also check the horn-based speaker systems that sound quite good at low volume. The bass should be punchier, and the sound should be room-filling. The speaker must be capable of delivering high-quality sound even at moderate levels.
Which one is the best low volume speaker?
The speaker that sounds detailed and rich even at low volume is the best low volume speaker. When the speaker with good efficiency and advanced engineered drivers are paired with amplifier, you will get optimum performance. The best amp for low volume listening should have loudness control feature in it and it is same for receivers.
Dayton Audio, M-Audio and Neumann KH 80 are some of the best low volume speakers. In case you watch movies mostly, choose a soundbar like the Bose 700, that will sound lively even at low volume.
How to achieve good sound at low volume?
More efficient speakers or speakers with higher efficiency will need few watts to achieve a certain level of loudness compared to low-efficient speakers. So, if you want the speakers to sound good at reduced volume, use products with loudness control.
The purpose of loudness control is to increase the bass and treble region when you reduce the volume level. Due to psychoacoustic effect, although the Fletcher Munson curve is not flat anymore visually, it sounds flat to your ears.
According to the curve, as you lower the volume, the mid-range section of the audio will stand out among the bass and treble. The bass and treble region gets lower as you reduce the volume.
High efficiency speakers at low volume, do they sound good? High efficiency speakers are easy to drive but it doesn’t mean they will sound better at low volume. Speakers with high efficiency has limited bass extension and it varies from one brand to another of how well the audio quality is. The following lists some of the receiver and amplifiers with loudness control.
What makes a speaker sound great at low volume? Well, if you have the chance try for a demo at reduced volume. This is the best way to find whether the speaker sounds good at low volume. Speaker crossover is often neglected but plays vital role is the sound quality. Crossover is needed to avoid distortion and unwanted frequencies.
Tweeters made of paper cone, ribbon, etc, sounds pretty well in low volume. Some suggests speakers with high sensitivity (>96dB) and higher combined impedances sounds full, detailed, dynamic with precise tonal characteristics even at low volume. Lastly amplifiers with loudness control, tone controls will adjust the high and low end of the sound at soft volume.
Top 7 low volume speaker review:
The top 7 low volume speakers are listed below and analyzed in detail.
Dayton Audio B652 6-1/2″ speakers
Specifications:
- Power handling: 40 watts RMS/75 watts max
- Sensitivity: 87 dB 1W/1m
- Frequency response: 70-20000Hz
- 0.625” tweeter and 6.25” woofer
- Impedance: 6 ohms
Review:
In terms of placement, the Dayton Audio user manual suggests placing the speaker 10-12 ft from the user at an angle of 30-60 degrees. Connect these speakers to an amplifier with speaker wire or lamp cord in case the distance is within 10 ft. Make sure to use heavy wires if the distance is more than 10ft. The speaker will sound best at moderate volume levels.
It will also remain detailed at low volumes. The Dayton Audio is one of the best affordable low volume speakers with excellent performance. Since it is a passive speaker, you need an amplifier or AV receiver. The power ratings are precise making it easier for you to match speaker with amplifier. The speaker has accurate stereo imaging and can even brighten up large spaces.
The cabinet is stylish and is made of pica vinyl cabinet finish. The tweeter is made of polycarbonate ferrofluid cooled. The bass is tight and deep as the speaker can get as low as 70Hz. The sensitivity of the speaker is average. You can enjoy movies and music with this speaker without any dissatisfaction. The soundstage and movie effects are impressive.
Pair it with an amplifier, add in a subwoofer for punchier low-end and you are all set. The speakers are cheap but performs bigger than its size. It goes easy on ears rather than sounding harsh. With room-filling audio, you can use it in medium sized or large spaces.
Quad ESL-57 s and 63 are some of the best low volume speakers. This speaker is also called Quad Electrostatic Loudspeaker. It is well known for delivering true-to-life sound. These are audiophile grade speaker that sound crystal clear even at low volume
Product Differentiator
This 2-way bookshelf speaker can easily be used in apartments or dorms. The bass is punchier and clear with a 6.5” polypropene cone woofer. The speakers measure 12” in height and comes with removable grille. In case you need more bass, you can always include an additional sub.
M-Audio BX5 D3 2-Way 5″ speakers
Specifications:
- Frequency response: 52-35000z
- Crossover:2.5
- SPL: 110dB
- Input sensitivity: 10dBU
Review:
M-Audio BX5 D3 2-Way 5″ speakers have flared port which is known to minimize distortion while improving bass.It has 5 inch Kevlar woofer surrounded by damped rubber. The bass is clean and tight.
This design ensures elimination of any scatter present at treble region. There are two Class A/B internal amp inside the speakers. With Acoustic Space Control, the speaker and adjust audio ensuring optimum performance based on the surrounding. On the backside of the speaker, you will see XLR and ¼-inch balanced input. There are volume and low-end controls.
You can enjoy immersive audio in the most natural way. The sound excels in clarity, focuses on producing powerful soundstage with excellent highs and lows. The magnetically shielded speaker has a total power output of 100-watt, 40 watts for low frequency amp and 60 watt for high frequency amp. DJ, recordists, or producers can use the speaker is easily. Over it is the best low volume speaker under $150.
You can place it on the table or mount it on wall. The M-Audio speakers help you in terms of placement.
Product Differentiator
M-Audio BX5 D3 2-Way 5″ speakers have good audio at lower volume. It has excellent bass and dynamics. The sound quality is detailed and rich. The speaker surprises you with wide sweet spot and precise imaging that are ideal to watch movies or listen to music. Thoughtful design like acoustic foam pad eliminates any form of vibration that may color the sound
Harbeth Super HL5 Plus
Specifications:
- Frequency response: 40Hz–20kHz, ±3dB
- Nominal impedance: 6 ohms
- Sensitivity: 86dB/W/m
- Type: 3-way speaker
- Power handling: 150W
Review:
The build quality of Harbeth Super HL5 Plus is good, and it is available in few colors. The speaker contains 0.78″ titanium-dome and 1″ aluminum-dome tweeters along with 7.8″ Radial polymeric composite-cone mid/woofer.
There is a front port so you can place it closer to wall if needed. It doesn’t come with stands, so you need additional speaker stands at an appropriate height. It is made of MDF material.
The low-end of the speaker is deep and tight. The audio quality is very good and attention-seeking. The gold-plated binding posts can be bi-wired or bi-amped. The speaker delivers good tonal characteristics, the bass is adequate and doesn’t get boomy and the vocals are loud and clear. The mids and highs are decent, and it produces good soundstage.
It is engineered to make sure there is no coloration of the sound and what you hear is just what the singer wants you to hear. You can also look into another model that can deliver high quality sound at low volume, the Mistral LS3/5A 11 Ohms 50W x 2 Monitor.
These speakers have 0.75” dome tweeter and 5” woofer. With this woofer, it can go as low as 65Hz. The bass is clean and shows its presence vividly. The Harbeth Super HL5 Plus speakers has a sensitivity of 86dB and a power handling of 100W.
Product Differentiator
The SHL5plus XD speakers from Harbeth maintain the company’s legacy of excellent sound by offering speakers that look as well as they sound.
Neumann KH 80 – Active DSP Studio Monitor
Specifications:
- Frequency range: 53Hz-21kHz +/- 6dB 57Hz-21kHz +/- 3dB
- SPL:108.8dB
- Input sensitivity: 0 to -15dB
- Crossover frequency: LPF 1.8kHz
Review:
The advanced engineering and design of Neumann speaker makes it unique. These speakers are made mostly of plastic and has decent build quality. Sound waves are being directed precisely and the DSP improve the audio even more. It uses Mathematical Model Dispersion (MMD) waveguide. The DSP is controlled get the Neuman.Control app.
DSP insurance you get a flat frequency response and better phase response. Along with these, the room acoustics is taken into consideration. Room acoustics is defined by the wall material, room size, curtains etc. Analyzing the room acoustics, the sound quality is adjusted.
The reflection and diffraction of sound waves due to room acoustics effects audio quality dramatically. The speaker has Automatic monitor alignment feature where it performs calibration via Neumann MAI microphone. You can choose among free-standing, small, medium, large desk options. It is the near-field monitor, and you can use it in different applications, for home use or in studios.
You can include the KH 750 DSP Subwoofer in case you are a basshead. The speaker has digital and active controller. There are two Class D amps, the Bass amp has 120 watts, and the treble amp has 70-watt power. Drivers include a 4-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter. Overall, we will get distortion free audio. Connections are combo XLR ¼” Balanced female input and RJ45.
Product Differentiator
The speaker has wide sweet spot. The imaging and soundstage are quite powerful. It is a high-end speaker that will sound well at low volume. It is best for professional and home use. You can listen to the monitors for hours without experiencing any fatigue. In case the monitors remain idle for a few hours, it will enter Auto-standby mode. It is one of th ebest bookshelf speakers for low volume listening.
KEF Standmound R3 Speakers
Specifications:
- Frequency range: 38Hz-50kHz (-6dB)
- Frequency response: 58Hz-28kHz (±3dB)
- Crossover Frequencies: 400Hz, 2.9kHz
- Output: 110dB
- Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
- Amplifier power: 15-180W
Review:
The speaker uses Uni-Q Driver Array that are well-known to minimize coloration or resonance, improve dispersion and imaging of the sound. It has 1” vented aluminium dome HF driver, 5” aluminium cone MF driver, and 6.5: hybrid aluminium LF driver. It is a three-way bass reflex speaker with a sensitivity of 87dB. The design is quite classy, and the build quality is very good. Unlike many others, KEF is quite transparent about its’ specifications and gives you all information to help you.
Like the amplifier power will help you to match the speaker with an amp. Place the R3 speakers on a tabletop or on speaker stand. The speaker stand should have a height of 18 to 24” which ensures the tweeter is on the same level as your ear. Keep a gap of around 27” between the speakers and then adjust as per your need.
You can include other speakers from the R series (R5, R7, R11, R2c) to create a home theater system. In case you feel you need room shaking bass, use additional subwoofer. This KEF model is the best low volume bookshelf speakers. It has excellent sonic details, clarity in mid-range and powerful bass to fill up the room. With a rear port, you will experience articulate bass.
The soundstage and sweetspot is large and pinpoints to the listener. It has a warm and balanced tone, and you can enjoy music or movies with it easily. With music, the instruments will become lively. Having a center channel like the KEF R2c will improve the vocals even more. This KEF speakers are well engineered and designed to produce accurate sound. As a result, it can avoid any treble reflections.
Product Differentiator
The KEF R3s are among the best standmounters offered at this price point.
Bose 700
Specifications:
- Bluetooth 4.2
- Bose Music app
- Dolby Digital, DTS
- AirPlay 2
- Dimension: 2.25″ H x 38.5″ W x 4.25″ D
Review:
Bose 700 is one of the best soundbar for low volume. It has a slim and sleek design with metal grille on front and glass material on top. It has 8-microphone array built-in that allows you to use your voice via apps and give command to the soundbar. You can use Alexa or Google Assistant easily. With Alexa, you can also make phone calls.
Using this soundbar is much easier because you can go wireless. You can stream through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi network, Apple AirPlay 2, or Spotify Connect. Bose is always secretive of its specifications and doesn’t reveal speaker driver size or frequency response. You can control the bar with Universal Remote with buttons that glow.
There are six presets, navigation pad, source selection, media playback and several other buttons on the remote. It is a futureproof speaker because you can include surround speakers and subwoofer to it to create a powerful home theater system. How do they sound? Well, Bose is a reliable brand and the soundbar sounds exciting.
Bose invites you to try the Bose Auditioner™ demo where you can listen and see whether you like the audio nature of the bar. If you select the Bose sub and Surround speakers, you will hear massive improvement in sound specially in terms of clarity and accuracy.
The dialogue enhancement feature enhances vocals even more. The soundbar uses QuietPort Technology that helps to minimize noise ensuring distortion free audio. The transducers deliver crystal clear audio whereas the PhaseGuide Technology delivers ‘multi-dimensional’ sound. This 3.0 soundbar has a balanced sound profile.
Product Differentiator
It has a plethora of functions, many of which are geared toward its smart speaker capabilities.The soundstage is powerful and the sweet spot is broad. You can include Surround speakers to create better home theater.
Micca PB42X Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Specifications:
- Crossover: 12dB/Octave
- Frequency Response: 60Hz-20kHz
- Power: 15W x 2
- Dimensions: 9.5″ (H) x 5.8″ (W) x 6.5″ (D)
Review:
The build quality is of the speakers are quite good. The amplifier of the speakers performs much better than other amplifiers in the market. The speakers contain 4″ Carbon Fiber woofer and 0.75: Rubber Surround Tweeter. Connections are RCA and 3.5mm stereo input jacks. It is quite versatile as you can connect PC, TV, or smartphone to it.
The result of these drivers are prominent bass, clean and rich audio. the rear port on the speaker makes bass much better. The crossover ensures ‘dynamic’ sound from the speaker. Placement guideline says to place the speaker beside wall or in corners with a gap of 4”. The speaker-to-speaker distance should be smaller than the speaker to listening position distance.
The speaker size makes it ideal to use as desktop speakers or, you can use them in cozy room setups. The setup is quite easy where you need to use speaker wire and match the correct color and polarity. These are budget speakers for low volume listening, so you don’t find mind blowing audio. Rather, the sound is decent, balanced, and natural.
Music is delivered with good tonal balance and decent bass. The mid-range clarity wins heart of many users and it is often labelled as ‘budget audiophile speaker’. You won’t have the option to add additional speakers or subwoofers with this system. The audio quality vs the cost makes it speaker quite appealing to users.
Product Differentiator
Because of its improved clarity and balance, Micca PB42X is a wonderful choice for any kind of audio project, whether it a relaxing movie soundtrack or an exhilarating action film score.
Parting words:
As you turn the volume down, the sound should remain lively, rich, and detailed. In case it sounds dull, you need to change your speaker. The best low volume speaker will help you to listen to sound with precision. This is important if you listen to low volume most of the time. Electrostatic speakers like the Quad 57 and 63 sound very good at reduced sound level.
Other factors for speakers that sound good at low volume, like controlling the speaker, wireless or wired connections and build quality are important while choosing low volume speakers. If you prefer voice command, choose a speaker that support Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Preset modes can often enhance audio quality. Build quality must be decent enough to run for years. Budget is another factor to take into consideration.
Subwoofer for low volume listening can be used in case you prefer deeper bass. You can choose the best speaker for low volume listening from Dayton Audio, Harbeth, M-Audio or Samsung. Some systems like Bose soundbar or Neumann speaker use auto calibration feature that analyzes your room and change sound to deliver the best performance.
FAQ
well, we are almost at the end of the article. and here we are still trying to find you solutions of some problems that are pocking around your head. let’s find out more!
Do large speakers sound bad at low volume?
How well the speaker will sound at low volume doesn’t have correlation to its size. Large speakers sound better at high volume and has better bass which is needed for low volumes. The reason why some speakers sound bad at lower volumes is, as the overall sound decreases, so does the bass and treble.
Which one is the best soundbar at low volume?
We recommend the Bose 700 for low volume listening. This is because delivering high quality at reduced volume isn’t the only purpose of a soundbar. It must also excel in movie effect and specially for vocals. Even if you go for another soundbar, make sure it has a dedicated center channel.
Network Engineer and Tech Journalist. Read More…