Which frequency to adjust if voices/mids give me a headache.


I just picked up an NAD M10 v2 and two sets of speakers (Wharfedale 4.2 and Lintons to try).  I know I'm really sensitive to mids/highs (not sure which).  Voices seem to bother me. I've done Dirac room correction and both sets of speakers still bother me a bit.  These are not bright speakers I know.  

Within Dirac I can adjust some frequencies and then save to the M10.  What frequency should I target first and any thoughts on how many db I should adjust? 

Btw - never had any issues with Diamond 225 speakers.  But I'm ready to upgrade. 

Thanks! 

wrecked

Treat your room and buy better front end equipment and amplification. Anything else is a band aid.

 

 

 

I've done Dirac room correction and both sets of speakers still bother me a bit.  These are not bright speakers I know.  

@wrecked Since you've done room correction the cause of the irritation may not be brightness. Higher ordered harmonics caused by electronics are perceived as the ear as harshness and brightness, and yes, can be enough so that you might get a headache.

The thing about that is the room can measure perfectly flat while this is going on. Since you already know the speakers aren't bright, if it were me, I'd be looking at the electronics. Solid state amps (in general) are well known for this (which is why tube amps are still around after 7 decades of transistors...). There are solid state electronics that aren't bright due to distortion.

So again if it were me I'd try a different amp and see if you get different results.

I think I found a decent solution for the moment. 

As I mentioned I had the Lintons and the 4.2s.  I did room correction for both.  It turns out I really like the room correction for the 4.2 applied to the Linton speakers.  Goofy, I know but I'm pretty happy right now.  I also pointed the speakers straight ahead and that helps a bit. 

It turns out I really like the room correction for the 4.2 applied to the Linton speakers.  Goofy, I know but I'm pretty happy right now

Put 4 inch absorptive GIK panels on the ipsilateral and contralateral reflection points on both side walls. If you’re sitting crack up near the back wall, treat it too.

It can give more happiness (than right now) and reduce the headaches even more!!

An all-too-common problem in recordings is vocal sibilance, typically cause by using the wrong microphone or having it placed too close to the singer's mouth -- we want to hear them sing, not examine their tonsils.  And, there are some singers who just naturally have a more sibilant quality in their voice.

This is a very difficult problem to fix once it is in the recording itself, though some audio systems may emphasize it more than others. If you have EQ available, try reducing the level on the 5KHz to 8KHz band and see if that helps.