Just some thoughts;
1) your expectations might be based on "boomboxes", car audio and typical home audio bass heavy systems (What sells best at Circuit City). These systems are often full of distortion and resonance in the low end because buyers demand it (they are proud of all that earth shaking bass).
2) the harshness may be from your favorite modern pop/rock band's CDs ) ...do a google on "Loudness Wars". ACDC "Back in Black" is only mildly compressed compared to what you find commonly today. Michael Jackson's Thriller album is also well produced, has copious bass and is only mildly compressed. Fast forward to today and there is very little I can recommend that is not "hot". See also this Loud CD's
3) Your speakers will present a hard load to drive...your amp may be clipping long before the shut down or warning lights...distortion is perceived as harsh and loud somewhat independently from actual volume levels.
4) Are your ears ringing? Get a radioshack SPL meter. If you are listening above about 105 Decibels SPL (continuous) then you can certainly expect it to sound harsh as your ears may not handle it (IMD distortion in the inner ear) Generally rock concerts are done at around 105 db SPL for the heavy rocking tracks, which is close to the limit of what most people can stand and enjoy for a couple or hours (and as long as they play a few quiet songs in between to give your ears a break...ears will still ring afterwards)
1) your expectations might be based on "boomboxes", car audio and typical home audio bass heavy systems (What sells best at Circuit City). These systems are often full of distortion and resonance in the low end because buyers demand it (they are proud of all that earth shaking bass).
2) the harshness may be from your favorite modern pop/rock band's CDs ) ...do a google on "Loudness Wars". ACDC "Back in Black" is only mildly compressed compared to what you find commonly today. Michael Jackson's Thriller album is also well produced, has copious bass and is only mildly compressed. Fast forward to today and there is very little I can recommend that is not "hot". See also this Loud CD's
3) Your speakers will present a hard load to drive...your amp may be clipping long before the shut down or warning lights...distortion is perceived as harsh and loud somewhat independently from actual volume levels.
4) Are your ears ringing? Get a radioshack SPL meter. If you are listening above about 105 Decibels SPL (continuous) then you can certainly expect it to sound harsh as your ears may not handle it (IMD distortion in the inner ear) Generally rock concerts are done at around 105 db SPL for the heavy rocking tracks, which is close to the limit of what most people can stand and enjoy for a couple or hours (and as long as they play a few quiet songs in between to give your ears a break...ears will still ring afterwards)