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Help. System sounds thin and bright or harsh

Hope this isn't redundant tried to post in Tech Talk

Just moved my system to a new home/sound room and it still sounds harsh and a bit thin despite supposedly "warm" sounding Harbeth 30.1 speakers. This issue is not new and I had put the blame on the old listening room.  Can't figure out what the problem is. I listen loud at 80dcbl or higher and sit nearfield about 8 feet from the speaker plane. (sound is thin and bright from afar as well) I have experimented in both homes with speaker placement, toe-in and the like. Speakers are placed a lil over 3 feet from the rear wall and about two and a half feet from side walls.  I feel something is off. Perhaps a component or two that is known to be tipped up in the highs and a lil bass shy?? Also, I leave all solid state components fully powered up 24/7. (not the tubes)

System:

Modwright/Oppo BDP 105 disc player  (all mods with tubed power supply and pricey NOS tube upgrades throughout)  Looking to replace once the harshness/bright issue is nailed down.

Parasound JC2 Preamp

Pass Labs X250.5 Amp

Harbeth 30.1 stand mount speakers

Puritan Labs PSM 156 power conditioner. (less "edgy" sound with it in system)

System is run all balanced with fairly costly Cardas interconnects.

All input is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Happy listening.

 

 

cymivka
erik_squires
16,051 posts
 

That sounds a little far from the rear wall.

The right location varies on room size and how reflective it is.  If the room is very lively to mid and treble it will act as a tone control, making it sound like you lack enough bass.

Back the speakers up to the wall and consider damping down the mid/hi frequencies in the room as well.

mofojo
2,289 posts
 

What kind of music do you listen to? If its anything with any amount of mid and low bass I think the Harbeth may be giving up on you at 80 db and 8ft away. I've never had a satisfying experience with loud music and small 2 way monitors without subs unless at fairly low volumes. Is it thin and harsh at lower volumes? 

 

All of your equipment including cables is known for being on the warmish side of neutral. 

cymivka OP
46 posts
 

Thanks for the replies.

Mofojo Sound is less edgy at low volume but still seems a thin NOT full at all.

Erik I am going to definitely pushem back to the wall. Very picky about set up and hate to touch when I THINK I got them dialed in.

Can't help but feel a component is letting me down. Ive heard the JC2 can be bright.

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