2. misc-audio
  3. 1235321402

So Much "Harshness"

In perusing the various boards, both here and elsewhere ("we toured the world and elsewhere")one theme that seems to be prevalent is "my system sounds harsh" or "this cd player seems harsh", etc.

Why are complaints of "harshness" so common? Are people selecting the wrong components based on dealer demos where the "brighter" components sound better due to additional detail? Is it caused by a taste for music which is intentionally mixed bright to be heard better on transistor radios? (The radios are gone, but the mixing tradition lives on, doesn't it?) Are they simply listening louder than their systems will tolerate without deteriorating? I think this is pretty common. It costs a lot of money for a system that will deliver audiophile sound at high volume.

What do you think?
chayro

Showing 3 responses by commcat

commcat
79 posts
 
Harshness can also be caused when the drivers (speakers) are stressed. Insufficient power can create this problem, whether using tube or solid-state amplifiers. One remedy to try is heavy-gauge speaker cable, i.e., 4 gauge, 1600 strand copper (often marketed in raw form as power-cable).
This will generally ensure a delivery of power, and a power reserve, for demanding musical passages when the drivers are under high-stress. Installing this type of cable can eliminate the harshness found at high frequencies under most circumstances.
commcat
79 posts
 
Tim,
The 1600 Strand, 4 Gauge, is very flexible. Easy to solder either ring or spade terminals or any other terminal to the wire. Sold by David Levy & Co. in Cerritos, California or PartsExpress.com and others for under $2 per foot. Check under the Power Cable category. Basically the same cable as marketed by many Mega-Buck speaker cable companies for $1500++.
commcat
79 posts
 
Tim,
This is the url for the 4 Gauge Cable;
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=100-196
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