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Aggrivated tinnitus from speakers?

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and was looking for some advice. I recently put together a system comprised of a McIntosh MA6900 + a pair of KEF R7s.

I've always had hearing sensitive to high frequencies, and have a very high frequency tinnitus at 18,000k. That's why I went with the Mac, as everyone talks about how smooth and musical it is. When I was shopping for speakers, I was doing a lot of research but then the KEF R7's went on crazy sale and I was able to pick up a pair for under 2k. It seemed like too much of a deal to pass up, especially with all of the glowing reviews, but maybe that was a mistake on my part...

I'm noticing when I listen to the system, my tinnitus activates at a lower frequency for several hours afterwards. I notice this most on FLAC / MQA - quality tracks on Tidal (via WIIM w/ integrated DAC, at very reasonable volumes - <85db ) It seems to happen less when I listen to vinyl or CD-Quality tracks, but it still happens.

It's driving me crazy and I'm so disappointed as I thought this was going to be my ultimate setup and I dropped a lot of $. The Mac has just been to an auth service center for new lamps and was bench tested and given a perfect bill of health after a small bias adjustment, so I don't think it's the problem.

I decided to use some headphones to see if I experienced the same thing... Senn. HD650's let me listen for long periods without problems. HD660S2s seem to give me maybe a little sensitivity after awhile, but the sensitivity I get from the KEF's is totally different.

I realize I should have demoed the speakers, but I just jumped on the deal - partially on their reputation and also because their narrow, tall size was ideal for the room layout.

Any advice on how to get to the bottom of this? Do I need to test different speakers or do I need to treat the room? I'd hate to give up the Master level recordings because I mentally swim in the detail and love it. I just hate the thought of not being able to enjoy the system properly, but I'm not sure where to start on making  it work for me.

 

 

128x128omegaman79
deep_333
1,559 posts
 

Alcohol (Sir-Drink-A-Lots need to make a choice) and hypertension are big tinnitus culprits, not to mention medications, etc. 

 

harleyujoe's avatar
harleyujoe
82 posts
 

73 yrs old and started 1980 and I slept with it until 10 yrs ago when the pitch doubled in sound..So every nite take a sleeping pill or I do not sleep...I worked in ship building welding and chipping guns all around for 42 years.But still have very sensitive hearing .Always having Solid state Amps and never gave thought to tube amps..Until 2019 with Raven Audio ad said 45 days trial and thinking I am not going to hear anything different. Well ears are ringing and I hear all the detail above and below my ringing and was amazed at what I heard coming from the music..And purchased Raven Speakers and even more detail I never heard.. I found that I could not go over 75db and can not play longer than 45 minutes and there are days now I do not hear my tinnitus ringing .. I listen to soft music and Oldies and it relaxes me ..I just spent money that I was scared to spend on Raven Audio Reflection just what more could I hear... Well few weeks of breaking in Reflection I am one happy tube steer junkie.. But limited to time and db levels but once a week during winter only I enjoy the music.. I have found the sweet spot on my speakers and center of speakers are ear level and pitched ion maybe few degrees ..We all have something to deal with for sure but try and make the best of it..

pete77
2 posts
 

Littleman, any progress to report on your Lenire treatment?  I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on purchasing the kit and would love to hear (no pun intended) your progress, thanks .

bjesien
1,338 posts
 

I had a pair of O/93's that made my ears ring. Tried 2 rooms and different amps and cables with no luck. It's a shame because I loved the sound and what they were capable of. 15 or so other pairs of speakers (including the same brand) and never experienced anything like this. 

Only thing I could think of is sound pressure triggered something. Gave it 6 months, good luck with your issue.

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