B&W speakers sounding very harsh?


Hey guys, brand new here.

So I recently got a new sound system for my game room. Keep in mind as I'm explaining everything that I'm brand new to the world of sound systems and how they work.

Here's what I'm using: I have a Marantz SR7015, a pair of B&W 702 S2's that are being powered from a Rotel amp (can't remember the model) , 700 series center channel, 600 series rears (the anniversary edition) and the 1000w sub. I also have 4 overhead speakers that are no B&W's.

The system sounds amazing! .....except for one thing. The highs sound very harsh on certain songs. It's almost like I hear a crackling if that makes sense but even putting my ears up to the speakers I can't pinpoint it. A good example is T.N.T. by AC/DC, when I listen to this song it's almost like I can hear a buzzing or crackling coming from somewhere (watch me explooooooooooode!) and the highs of the song sound very grating. Again, I'm having difficulty pinpointing what it could be and I listen to some songs and they sound just fine.

Keep a few things in mind. A. The sound system is relatively new and the sound system has probably 60 total hours of play time. I've read that these systems do require break in time. I also started from scratch learning how to configure everything (it took me 2 days before I figured out how to get sound of the speakers turned on) so it's possible I may have the tweeters turned up too high.

Based on the limited info I was able to give, does anyone have any advice? TY!
vgundam21

Showing 2 responses by oldhvymec

Is there any way to use a different source and see if it’s just a funky recording.

Second give it 200 hours. Sibilance can settle and just go AWAY after break in.. Planar tweeters can drive you nuts.. And out of the blue they just quit screwing up.. 200 hour mark for me a few times..

E is right, room treatment never hurts..

Regards
Well when you learn the difference between Break-in (anything BUT valves or tubes) and Burn-in (valves and tubes) then you might be able to offer a suggestion without showing YOUR ignorance about Breaking in equipment.

500+ hours of BREAK-IN for teflon caps. 1000 hours of misery in some cases.  75 or so reports from about 130 customers over and over.. CUSTOMERS mate not frat boy chat in the halls. 1975-2004. I built a few pairs and sets of cabinets. Usually with ribbons or planars or both. 
I liked TNT and a few surplus caps but they were all teflon. 

It takes DC to break in teflon caps, plain and simple, that tiny tickle when firing up is all they get until the caps turn that wonderful tan color.

Everything takes time to settle and break in. The wood, VC drivers, cabinet insulation, dielectric/construct settling.

Every show I've ever gone to, the best in show always brought well conditioned cables and the equipment was well into its service life.  The stuff that sounds like frying eggs, sizzling bacon and BOOMY BS usually got their just reviews..

The "Its perfect out of the box" bunch is fine.

The fact is it just gets better..

I know all cables sound the same, there is no prefer direction, any ol fuse will do, cable cookers do nothing, contact enhancers don't work, ear plug don't work above 130db and horns rules. Thought I do agree Horns CAN rule.

People are not ignorant, delusional or anything else. OTHERS inability to hear. Not, "hear a difference". JUST HEAR at all! Is on full display.

I think OTHERS have demonstrated several time by comment alone, they, cannot hear certain things and or usually HAVEN'T been around enough equipment to tell the difference. 

BTW there are ZERO 24 hour cable reports.. weeks per pair minimum just to settle and somewhat break in.. Months is a more accurate.

Regards