So Much "Harshness"


In perusing the various boards, both here and elsewhere ("we toured the world and elsewhere")one theme that seems to be prevalent is "my system sounds harsh" or "this cd player seems harsh", etc.

Why are complaints of "harshness" so common? Are people selecting the wrong components based on dealer demos where the "brighter" components sound better due to additional detail? Is it caused by a taste for music which is intentionally mixed bright to be heard better on transistor radios? (The radios are gone, but the mixing tradition lives on, doesn't it?) Are they simply listening louder than their systems will tolerate without deteriorating? I think this is pretty common. It costs a lot of money for a system that will deliver audiophile sound at high volume.

What do you think?
chayro
Mrtennis,
I bet you would be hard pressed to find anyone with totally analog gear system that complains about harshness.

20 years ago we did not have computer based electronics that cause the hash on the AC line as we do today. Damn near every appliance we use today, to make our lives simpler, have a micro processor built into them.

Most EMI/RFI noise originates with in our own homes.
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Harshness can also be caused when the drivers (speakers) are stressed. Insufficient power can create this problem, whether using tube or solid-state amplifiers. One remedy to try is heavy-gauge speaker cable, i.e., 4 gauge, 1600 strand copper (often marketed in raw form as power-cable).
This will generally ensure a delivery of power, and a power reserve, for demanding musical passages when the drivers are under high-stress. Installing this type of cable can eliminate the harshness found at high frequencies under most circumstances.

02-22-09: Commcat
Harshness can also be caused when the drivers (speakers) are stressed. Insufficient power can create this problem, whether using tube or solid-state amplifiers. One remedy to try is heavy-gauge speaker cable, i.e., 4 gauge, 1600 strand copper (often marketed in raw form as power-cable).

Seriously dude?
I ran 8 gauge cable for an oven when remodeling our kitchen a few years ago. That stuff is extremely stiff and difficult to work with. How in the world are you going to connect 4 gauge to your amp and speakers. If you have done it please post your system with pics for the world to see.
Now you got me wondering what gauge cable is feeding my house from the transformer.
As for harshness, I agree with Mrtennis (can't believe I said that). In a general sense I see the culprit as metal dome tweeters squeezing that last little bit of resolution.
I don't listen to super systems so my opinion only relates to real world equipment.
Tim,
The 1600 Strand, 4 Gauge, is very flexible. Easy to solder either ring or spade terminals or any other terminal to the wire. Sold by David Levy & Co. in Cerritos, California or PartsExpress.com and others for under $2 per foot. Check under the Power Cable category. Basically the same cable as marketed by many Mega-Buck speaker cable companies for $1500++.