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Vocals and upper midrange too forward?

Hey all - I just have a question regarding my new speakers.  I would say I am an audiophile apprentice.  I just got new speakers in the system and likely they have a more sophisticated sound with tighter bass and likely more detail but I think that the upper midrange (my words but it seems to be noticeable with male vocals and some guitar etc) is too forward.  Current system uses Prima Luna Dialog HP Integrated and went from Totem Sttaf to Devore Fidelity Gibbon 88.  I notice it both with analog and CD sources.  At first the sound was more "advanced" with the Devore speakers and I was hearing things in the vocals with bands like the Allman Brothers that I had not heard before.  As time goes on, I am starting to think it may border on the fatiguing.  The Sttaf with the silk dome tweeter may be more to my liking though would be a trade off with more cabinet resonance I think with the Sttaf.  Not sure if there is any fix but am I missing anything?  Anyone have similar experience?  All parts of the system are broken in I believe (I bought the Devore speakers used).  There actually may have been an improvement in the sound with the Devore speakers before the spikes were added as they were being shipped and I could not wait.  But now I have the spikes in place and positioned well I think.  Thanks in advance.
zipline11

Showing 4 responses by zipline11

zipline11 OP
18 posts
 
Thanks for the updated suggestions.  Looking forward to trying the 4 ohm tap as that suggestion sounds intriguing.  I am hanging on to that one when I get a chance to get back and experiment!
zipline11 OP
18 posts
 
I am using the supplied EL34.  Any benefit to switching to KT88 or other for this issue?
I am not sure how broken in the Devore's are to be honest but I am assuming that they are broken in.  And don't get me wrong the Gibbon 88's are a move up in sound which they should be given the price point new but I find myself missing the sweet sounds of the Sttaf and the only complaint currently with the Gibbon's is possible fatigue and then I get fatigued wondering if I am overthinking things too much.   I kept the Sttaf for now so I will be doing some A-B comparison soon.
zipline11 OP
18 posts
 
Thanks for all the replies.  Looks like I've got some experimenting to do. Positioning them straight ahead may be the way to go in that room with these speakers and oddly enough I thought there MAY have been improvement when there were no spikes (the manual advises to try to have the front of the speaker higher than the back and thus the need for the spikes).  I feel like that breaks all sorts of rules and covenants but I may have those babies sitting on the carpet with no spikes at all.  
And inna I did buy the speakers unheard.  Took a risk I know but really no other possible way due to location of being out in the middle of nowhere.
And stereo5 I did try moving them closer to the wall but the feeling of the upper mid range being about two notches higher in volume than the rest of the range (even when I think that really ALL of the range individually sounds good including the bass).  Kind of a weird problem.  Anyway I will get to work on trying to find the sweet spot and thanks again everyone
zipline11 OP
18 posts
 
Thanks everyone.  I am not giving up yet.  Gonna try a few things and then I still have the Totem speakers to go back to if needed.  
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