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Speakers, speaker cables or I’m getting old…

I began listening to my gear as it filtered in from various spots in the US. I bought cheap cables, as I waited for my cabling to arrive. I have a set of Heritage Specials, ran from a Pass X150.8. I noticed right out of the gate at what I would call “moderate” volumes there’s a frequency that “smears.” I’ve never heard this in any of my setups, have just read others reference it. Now, what I’ve noticed is as my gear has arrived and as the chain improved, it reduced, but is not gone and I’m unable to listen at louder volumes due to it.

The one item that’s yet to arrive are the speaker cables, currently on there is what was available at the moment, something very thin and cheap.

My prior setup was Harbeth’s off PL, and am very familiar with that sound. I’ve ran PS Audio BHK Mono’s off a set off Dyn Confidence and loved that too. I tend to believe it’s not the speakers. But rather the cheap speaker cables…Or, I’ve aged 3 years since I’ve had a 2ch setup, and my hearing has changed and I’m just more sensitive to certain frequencies. For the record, I’ve always been rather sensitive to an upper mid/higher freq sound, it pierces my brain. B&W + Mac comes to mind…ran that once as well.

The other oddity is that older recordings, or older remasters like Tom Petty Wildflowers and the off shoot releases from it sound amazing. Dave Matthews sounds amazing, Radiohead, Willie Bobo, so there’s a bunch that doesn’t generate that smear or sheen. I’m using qobuz. Really, anything metal related, Tool, Lamb of God, Metallica is a little harsh to listen to and moderate volumes.

Thoughts?

toddcowles
fatdaddy2
383 posts
 

You didn't indicate your age, but if you've passed 60, get your hearing professionally tested.  The result will help you decide which changes in your system are likely to yield results, and which are chasing futility, if you have the typical freq drop-off for your age.

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

High gauge speaker wire might affect the bass, but your problem is most likely the room. Not being able to play loud is a VERY common problem due to too much energy in the 2 to 4 kHz region usually due to room reflections. Lack of isolation causes feedback if bad enough. Only turntables require isolation and most are not!

I have a friend who had this very problem. We put a MiniDSP SHD in his system and the problem disappeared like magic. 

soix
9,456 posts
 

Really, anything metal related, Tool, Lamb of God, Metallica is a little harsh to listen to and moderate volumes.

Go figure.  Give an update once you get the new cables settled in — what cables are they BTW?  You seem to be focused on speaker cables, but interconnects are just as important so what are you using there and what is your source, power cables, and power conditioning?  We don’t have all the details and it all matters.  

jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,617 posts
 

OP it's hyperacusis and I also suffer from it.Well made copper cabling throughout will help smooth out the sound,but ultimately can't undo bad or less than stellar recordings. Room treatments,DSP,and power conditioning help also.I love rock and blues music and finally achieved relief after adding a parametric equalizer to control those problematic upper mids.I'm not saying that's the right path to take for everyone, just my personal experience. I hope upgrading your cabling will be all you  need to get rid of the congestion and edginess.

boxcarman
415 posts
 

You don't state your age, but I noticed that sometime in my mid-sixties, really loud music, especially live bands in bars, was offensive to my ears.  Could not stay in there.  Tinnitus was developing.  I still get great pleasure from my home setup, but at lower volumes.  And no more metal.

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