Parametric / graphic equalizer recommendations

Cdc: You should see an audiologist or ENT. I am not a physician, but it does sound like you have tenitus (I'm sure I spelled that incorrectely). It is painful and is generally triggered by high frequencies. Speech is midband and does not cause the problem. If you listened to a live jazz band--or just a few cymbol crashes you would probably have the pain. It's frequently caused by some damage to the ear. It can be from being exposed to high SPL for long periods of time (doesn't sound like this is the case for you). But can happen from other things. Divers get it from the changing pressure on their ear drums when diving. I had a friend get it from an air bag going off in a car crash.

I strongly agree with the above comments about seeking medical help.

If all anyone wants to do is in/decrease high frequencies then a low pass filter is more effective than a parametric EQ circuit. Go to the following website and look at the parametric and shelving curves at the bottom of the file and you'll see the difference. The site is a paper presented by George Massenburg outlining the engineering behind parametric EQs. A graphic EQ can be considered as a special case (fixed frequency and sans Q control)of a parametric curve. Traditional treble controls are an example of a low pass filter. As a practical matter nearly all commercially available parametric EQ devices also offer separate low and high pass filters.

http://www.massenburg.com/cgi-bin/ml/parametric.html?id=FhaBkZYi

CDC, as a quick fix have you ever tried disconnecting your tweeter?

Thanks for the link Onhwy61. I was saying in general about turning my room into an anechoic chamber, not directed at anyone's helpful advise here. Because I have already looked into acoustic foam which absorbs specific frequencies and decided against this type of room treatment.
Fortunately, I had an audiometry done a year ago and I can compared with the one done a couple of weeks ago. Both show hearing loss in the same ear at 8kHz. So the Dr. said it looks like the ear was already damaged due to some "structural problem". I'll see what the otologist says.
I agree Zaiksman that maybe a different speaker would help. For example, I heard Vienna Mozarts this week and highs may be okay but the loose bass was annoying and I would not be happy with it. But like you said, who really knows if any speaker could really solve this problem.
Paulwp, interesting point about brightness and harshness. I compared Swan ?? vs. B&W 602 s2 with Teac receiver. The B&W sounded brighter. But While the Swans were more laid back there was more distortion. At least IMHO. So which was really better? But a distorted CD coming through a bright B&W is not good.
I'll post what I learn.

You were serious about your hearing? Doubly sorry. Brightness, which will irritate and make it difficult to listen to music, occurs in the upper midrange, from below 1 khz to maybe 2 khz (I am inclined to say even lower). Perceived brightness relates more to these higher pitched fundamentals (like the shriek of a 12 year old girl) than to the upper frequency harmonics. Too much energy from 2 to 5 khz is forwardness and hardness, but it can seem bright too. Too much from 5 to 8 khz gives sizzling sibilance and harshness. Too much 8 to 12 khz will be harsh sometimes. Too much above 12 khz, you probably won't even notice. I havent seen measurements of your speakers, but others by the same maker have a tendency to go a little overboard in the 5-10khz after a dip in the 2-5khz presence region.