Hi I need to play my movies at lowish volume (-25db or so). But I want the best experience. Do I gain any advantage by spending more on my Amp and speakers? (budget up to 2k)?
Many AV amps have a night mode (may be called something else) and/or a facility to reduce the dynamic range.
Providing your gear is reasonable at normal levels there is a good chance that it will be OK when lowered. Do bear in mind that your sub needs to move air so its effect at low volumes will be reduced.
I use my Denon 2808 (£600) and KEF 3005SE (£800) at low volumes and these sound fine IMO.
My stereo gear MYRYAD 2080 amp (£1000) and NEAT MOTIVE 2 speakers (£900) sound excellent at low volumes.
I know it sounds obvious but pending more only benefits if it is spent wisely!! As always, take along some favourite CDs and DVDs, listen at low volumes and decide for yourself.
That is helpful thank you, I have been looking at the Denon and KEF 3005se and a few others as it turns out, but it dawned at me that I was wasting money if i was usually playing it lowish. But your advice "if it sounds rubbish at high it will sound rubbish at low", which I guess makes sense. But it also makes me feel confident that I wont waste money even if I wont be blasting it .
thanks