Big amp at min volume vs. little amp at high volume?
Tim's answer at Can playing an amp at minimum volumes (<1%) be harmful to it? states that playing a large amp quietly is safe, but that the sound quality is often disappointing.
Is the poor sound quality a matter of running a big amp at low volume or of running any amp at low volume?
If the only need is for low volume is one better off running a small amp in the middle of its volume range than a large amp turned way down?
For context, I'm currently happy playing electric guitar through a Roland M-Cube (2W / 5" speaker) at about 3-5 / 10 on the volume knob. My wife is happier at 2-3, but isn't always home. I recently got a bass and it sounds awful at those settings - unsurprisingly the speaker can't handle the lows and just rattles.
I've been looking for a bass combo amp. There are several well rated ones in the 20-25W / 8" range that I could pick up new, or I could get something bigger (e.g. 10"-12" versions of the same) used for about the same price used. If the smaller amp is better for the practice scenario anyway then there's little point in the hassle of bargain hunting.
There's been enough background noise in the toy^H^H^Hmusic store when I've checked them out that I can't hear much of anything at the volumes I'm likely to run at home.
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Valve or Tube amps when using overdrive will often sound better when they are played loud. Because of this, it may be better to have a small amp that you can push harder. This is sometimes used in recording to get a good sound without having to blast the amp more than necessary
You have a solid state amp, so there is probably not much of an issue---just turn down. If you have a tube amp and were playing guitar this would be an issue since the main attraction of the tube amp, to most players, is the ability to control the edge or overdrive with your guitar volume pot. The ultimate example, put a 5 watt champ with an 8" speaker on 9 with a 335 or LP and you'll get that early Joe Walsh sound when you crank the volume on your guitar. Pull back on the volume pot and you'll get a creamy sound with just a touch of edge. My experience with solid state amps is that is not as much the case.
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