2. misc-audio
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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 2 responses by jea48

jea48
4,764 posts
 
As for digital, in many cases, harshness is caused by EMI/RFI from the power supply of the digital equipment itself.

In most causes the use of a good shielded power cord will solve the problem.

Ics can play a roll as well. Airborne RFI can also enter through ics and cause harshness.

And then sometimes the problem may simply be the source material, the CD.....

jea48
4,764 posts
 
Mrtennis,
I bet you would be hard pressed to find anyone with totally analog gear system that complains about harshness.

20 years ago we did not have computer based electronics that cause the hash on the AC line as we do today. Damn near every appliance we use today, to make our lives simpler, have a micro processor built into them.

Most EMI/RFI noise originates with in our own homes.
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