Need Help With a Bright System

Jwglista,

I hear you on researching the speakers but let me share a friends experience. He too purchased the Triangles and I was taken back by how they imaged and the clearness you are explaining, I mean wow!, I heard it. However, I did not like anything else about the speaker. Also, try listening to them for over an hour. Better buy stock in Advil.

God forbid you try and play Rock & Roll on them which is what I (and my friend) listen to the most. I mean who really wants to listen to Patricia Barber and Norah Jones all day because of the recordings. It gets old and tiresome.

You see it is the "clearness" you are talking about that turns into "brightness-hash-glare" with a less than perfect digital recording.

I just set up a different friend with a budget bedroom system which consists of a NAD BBE integrated and a Pair of those inexpensive EPOS ELS-3s. Using a Rotel CD player and entry level AudioQuest, the system sounds fantastic. There is ZERO brightness and the system sounds much better than some bigger rigs I have heard for only $500.00 here on Audiogon used for the whole system.

I would put money on the table that your electronics are really not your problem. Putting vibration devices under equipment and changing cables will result in small changes but are merely band-aid and will not eliminate your problem. Why make sacrafices for the music when it is the most important thing here?

Respectfully,

Chris

"I spent a long time researching and coming up with the decision to buy these speakers"

And when you demo'd them did they have the same edge that now annoys you ? If not what was the partnering equipment in the demo ? Go buy it, or start saving.

If you did not demo them, but bought them on the basis of reviews then I think it's time to accept that you made an unfortunate choice, sell them and move on. You might lose a little money on the deal, but you'll be better off in the long run.

You could sink a whole lot more money and time into power conditioners, cables, outlets, vibration control, and other stuff, that in my experience delivers the last <5% of the sound, but it will not cure a terminally bright system.

If you really like imaging and want to lose the brightness I'd suggest a used pair of Spica Angelus, or Tc-60s, or if you can stretch a pair of GMA Europas.

the nad components are 'by design'made to be neutal. they are also compatible with most convential dynamic driver loudspeakers, including yours. at least for now try other interconnects(not necc ones that are more epensive)and try lots of cds to make sure your brightness isn't just a software issue. the triangles do prefer low watt tube designs, but going that route is only going to cause more problems. wire differences are similar inherently inportant, if your pre amp does not have tone controls to adjust for different room conditions

If you must use these speakers (which are the problem, IMO) trade the gear for lush tube gear, like Cary, or maybe contact Kevin Deal @ Upscale Audio and see what he says. Your speakers are too ruthless in the presence range (guessing 2-6khz).

Using gear like these Triangles or horns is like preparing sushi. All of the ingredients must be fresh and of the highest quality possible or it won't be palatable. at all. While it's possible to make these speakers work, it is doing to be WORK doing so. This is why most are suggesting different speakers.

For now, think like a suhsi chef. Every piece of gear (including room treatments) isn't going to have to be synergetic and hand picked (and tweaked!) to match those Triangles.

Good luck!
Aaron