Help me to tame brightness


I recently changed my Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.2 to v.3. My source is Sony DVP NS999ES.,then Bryston SP-1.7 and Anthem MCA 50. All connected to 2 dedicated 20 amp. lines through API Power Wedge 114 ( power amp directly to the wall).All cables, including PC's are Signal Cable. I didn't feel much brightness with the V.2 Studios, so didn't I initially with the V.3. Everything seemed to change after a burn-in period of about 40-50 hours. Now it sounds very bright and fatiguing. What is it? inherent brightness of Paradigms? ( i was under impression that V.3 should be an improvement over the older one), the room? (basement 21x14x8, carpet over concrete)?, CDP?, Pre-Pro?, Power Amp? a combination of everything, my ears?.
What would you suggest I should try taming the brightness, short of changing everything?
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Regards.
maril555

Showing 1 response by distortion

Since you didn’t change your room, I would say the speakers are the culprit. I agree more time may be needed. 100 or more hours is probably more like it.

Without calling for equipment change, here are a few suggestions. No particular order.

1) Isolation for both the CDP and Processor.
2) Couple the speakers with spikes.
3) Try a different PC on the CDP/DVD.
4) Try placing either a ring or 2 vertical bars of felt around/beside the tweeter. Staying about 1/2" from the driver itself and being about 1/2" wide. You can buy an easily removable two-way tape and attractive black felt from Michael's.

Isolation can help. Coupling can improve cohesiveness of the bass/midbass which effects the overall sound. I didn’t have good luck with that PC on my CDP. I really wanted to like it, but I kept going back to a Transparent Powerlink plus until I got a Virtual Dynamics P3, this ones a keeper. The Signalcable PC was to bright. The felt ring/bars can help reduced reflected energy and help absorb some of the laterally dispersed energy. You can also use 1/2"x1/2" or so adhesive backed foam. A soft one. Like you might use to seal around a window AC unit. I would still cover the adhesive with a two-way tape designed for easy removal or you might end up with crappy adhesive bonded to your new speakers.