High quality speakers for low volume use

[Grant Stockly]

I would like a recommendation on speakers that I can use to comfortably listen to music at night time as I fall asleep. I also want to be able to listen to talk only programming.

The speakers I have right now give me the feeling of too much sound pressure. When I turn them down far enough to get rid of the bass, I can't hear the words any more (in talk only programming).

They are just some $200 Logitech computer speakers, right, left, and sub.

I'm not sure what my budget is on the speakers, but I am open to all options. I'm willing to pay for decent speakers... I imagine the solution will involve smaller surround sound type speakers?

 

[dapack69]

What do you plan to hook the speakers up to? You normally can turn the volume of the subwoofer down as well.

 

[markw]

What do you mean "speakers"?

IIRC, Logitech's are "speaker systems" that contain all the amplifiers for all the speakers as well and generally plug into the headphone jack of a computer/ipod or whatever.

Is this the case with yours?

FWIW, I've always found logitech's to be boomy and by having the "bass box" play up to a high frequency, it's highly possible that when you turn it down a lot of the vocal range is ateenuated as well.

That trait of having a high crossover on the bass box may be a common trait to many of these systems. Many aren't made to play voices at low volumes.

Try smaller, 2.0 (without a bass box) systems if voice reproduction is your main goal.

 

[j_garcia]

The issue would seem to be what mark touched on - the crossover is so high that the vocal range is in the sub itself so when you turn it down, you lose them. I agree that a 2.0 setup rather than a 2.1 might do the trick.

 

[Rickster71]

How about something from these guys: http://www.audioengineusa.com/
I have the A5's (self powered) and use them with my PC and an MP3 player.

 

[KEW]

Get good speakers and use electronics to control the bass for night-time.
I think trying to find high quality speakers that drop the bass may be a contradiction.

What is the source? Since you mention Logitech, is this computer based?
AudioEngine makes some good active speakers and your computer's soundcard software should have plenty of EQ flexibility.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias=electronics&field-keywords=Audioengine+powered&x=0&y=0

You also might want to consider MoPads under the new speakers which will eliminate some of the vibration traveling from the speaker to the stand to the floor to the next room. You might find you can have more bass in your room.