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Q acoustics harsh high end

Please help.
Just bought a Pioneer network reciever and a pair of 3050s. I realise this isn't top end equipment but at any sort of volume the upper frequencies are harsh,  very noticeable on female voices. The last system I had was started back in the late 70s with a pair of MA4s, then a denon amp, 50W I think, then I added a mid range Marantz cd player.
I remember having absolutely no issues with the sound quality. I have tried placing the system in a different room. I have tried a different amp (Marantz 63KI). I have tried a different Cd player but all sound the same, bright, harsh top end. Im begining to think it's the speakers but the reviews are almost unanimously brilliant. I'm wondering if I should get some second hand MA 352s
Any advice would be welcome

John 
jlj
erik_squires
16,004 posts
 
One more thing. Make sure you have reasonably well followed the manufacturer’s placement recommendations. If you are not getting the right amount of bass, this could accentuate the treble.

Also, make sure all 4 woofers are working. :)

Lightly put your fingers on the outer cone while playing music.

Best,
E
snapsc
666 posts
 
Check out the 3050 review just out in Secrets.  https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/speaker/floor-standing/q-acoustics-3050i-floorstanding-speaker-r...

They never mention harshness in describing the 3050s. 

No doubt that breaking them in with some run time will help...

meanwhile are you using the dac on the pioneer... if so then switch to the marantz ...and vice versa as some mid level dac’s can be harsh. 
jlj OP
25 posts
 
Thanks for the link. They are certainly well reviewed. I'll give it a few weeks and go from there. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,314 posts
 
Yup.  In a few weeks your ears will break in to the way the speakers sound.
mzkmxcv
777 posts
 
On-axis measurements of Q Acoustics 3020 (purple trace)

While not your exact model, it is from the same range and should be similar. So, wether it be the 1kHz peak or emphasized treble >5kHz, it can sound bright.

Have you tried with and without toe-in? Maybe with grills on?

No speaker cable can attenuate treble by 3dB+, so if you can’t get used to the sound, return them.

This is why I never go off of only reviews, if measurements don’t exist (of at least any modern speaker the company has made) and/or I can’t return them without B.S. re-stocking fees (I’m fine with paying return shipping), I usually never buy such products.
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