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  3. 172720-167068

How to tame a bright system?

Hi all,

I have been facing a problem, the brightness of my system:

Bluesound n130  --- Chord dave ---- audioquest fire (xlr) ---- Etude  ---- copper wire ---- B&W 606s2.

 

The brightness shows up, particularly after I upgrade the cable from the chord company clearway (RCA) to the AQ fire (XLR).  AQ fire really improved everything. However, the high frequency is too cristal to my ears (especially the "ding, ding" sound from the piano, I believe most of the people would love it but not me .... ).  I like the cheap clearway, but it does not have the excellent bass and the dynamic offered by fire. I also tried with AQ Mackenzie (copper) which gives a proper sound but lacks space. I also found the vocal of fire is a bit forward (I am not really big fun of forwarding vocal).

Can someone help to recommend a cable that has everything of clearway but more dynamic and extension at the low end? I think this would be an ideal cable for my current system.

 

If possible, please help to focus on the cable rather than the other components. I know there is a lot to improve, but not at the moment.  Thanks a lot guys!  ;-) 

 

 

 

tension255
tantejuut
125 posts
 

Acoustic - use absorbers at the back & ceiling. Electrical - use gold plated connectors. Use shielded power Cords. Placement - less toe in, some tilt, closer to the wall. Cabling - Audioquest earth as interlink. Vibration control - isoacoustics, nobsound. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

db2sub1
23 posts
 

It's obvious that the recording engineer adjusted the frequency response at 2:39 to emphasize the song's presence (upper mids & treble). If this is the rare song that is too bright; find a better version. If you object to the brightness with many songs; I suggest replacing your electronics to a rich warm sounding tube amp & preamp. There's nothing wrong with your B&Ws, they play what they're fed. There are many to choose from; eg. Conrad Johnson has a warm house sound as do most EL34 based amps. After over 50 years mixing & matching and finally landing on a PX25 with horns, welcome to the merry-go-round (part of the hobby).

eungkim67's avatar
eungkim67
5 posts
 

As others have said, it’s your speakers.  Switch your speakers to classic spendor/harbeth/stirling and your problem will magically go away. I’ve heard the Chord/spendor combo many times and they are a perfect match.  Maybe they are voiced together.  I think they share the same distributor.  

madcow
42 posts
 

Try replacing the screws on the tweeters with brass screws. Might help. Seems to work on mine. Cheap fix.

sbonamo
61 posts
 

Check the tweeter height versus your ear height. I personally like my ear in between the tweeter and midrange. Also, try toeing out to not have the tweeter directly pointed at your ears. Finally, implement room treatment, especially at first reflection points. You'd be amazed at the difference in a well - treated room with appropriate speaker and sweet spot positioning.

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