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

As a musician, most singers ARE a headache.

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.

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!!

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. 

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.

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

If the irritation seems to be brash or brassy, I agree with the 1.5k to 1.6k give or take 500 Hz. assessment. If the irritation is more shrill, I find more often than not that the offending frequency is around 3.1k. It could also be both regions.

You may want to start with a larger reduction like 6 db or greater just because it is easier to hear bigger changes and then add them back in as needed after you find the offending frequencies.

@audiotroy the NAD M10 V2 is a PurFi Class D and is not a digital integrated amplifier.  Come on Man you're an NAD Dealer??  

It’s the amp dirac can not fix it the m10 has a digital a amp that sounds clean yet thin we sell the m10 and that us how it sounds listen to a n aim Ampang you willbe shocked at the difference

Dave AND TROY

Audio intellect nj

nad and naim dealer

@jtcf Thanks!

@wrecked I'm sensitive to high frequencies also.If you Google "frequency chart for instruments" several bar graphs will pop up that show where instruments and vocals fall along the frequency range.That should help narrow it down.

@erik_squires Good question.  I'll listen later and see which voices are the most bothersome.  The room does have a lot of hard surfaces but I've had this problem all my life no matter what room. 

@newbee Thanks I'll try adjusting those frequencies.  

To answer your question, if I had an equalizer of the 10 band type, I’d lower the slider in the 1500/1600 hz range 3db. WAG for sure! I know nothing about Dirac.

@erik_squires 

Also, the better the equipment the more natural the sound and the less harsh and fatiguing it is. 

Something else to consider is that some speakers sound much better off-axis than on.  If they are pointing straight at your head you may find it easier to listen with less toe-in.

Hey OP,

If your room is too lively it can accentutate the hash in the upper octaves, so consider that first.

Otherwise, it's hard to tell without knowing exactly which voices.  Can you give an example of recordings you are having trouble with?