The high range on my speakers are harsh...


I have noticed since I set up my system that the high range is rather tinny and crackles at times. I have tried tuning the treble and bass on my amplifier, but the problem still persists.

I have a Rotel RA-972 set up to two Paradigm v6 Mini Monitors. The quality of this problem differs on the inputs that I am using at any given time. Playing music from my laptop through a RCA to stereo input is the worst, however the audio quality when watching movies or television (connection RCA to RCA) is problematic as well. All my speakers are connected by 16 gauge speaker wire with 24k banana plugs.

If anyone has any ideas how I can optimize my system, it would be much appreciated.
kfwulf
In addition to my first post (they may come through out of order), in the last paragraph, I made this statement about the speaker,"If you could do this no cost speaker swap trial with soft dome tweeters." I'm referring to the speakers as a whole, not just a tweeter swap. Just a tweeter swap, is not a good idea. Too much engineering involved there.

Also, if swapping a receiver, or another amp might be easier for testing, you could see if you still hear that harsh problem. It may be less harsh, but if the harsh sound is still is a problem, that would lean toward the speakers in my opinion. A TV, and computer shouldn't have the same problem most of the time. Sorry for the late night goof-ups.
I'm just guessing on this one. Assuming all of your equipment is OK, since you said this was there from the beginning of this system. First off, I would substitute another pair of speakers, if possible. The crackling statement is a concern, thinking that it could be something else, like too much volume, or another problem. I'm going mainly on the harsh part of your description.

This would help verify if anything is wrong. Also, Paradigm speakers like these have a metal dome tweeter, that some people just can't handle. They usually have a resonance that is right above 20 kHz. That resonance will cause some people that are sensitive to it to not listen at all. I'm one of these people. Also, I've seen several people state they have a problem with fatigue, using speakers like these.

Another problem may be that your amp can be accentuating the problem some. The only thing I have to go on stating this is this review from Italy. They say the amp is a little bright also. That could definitively be making this problem worse, if this is what is happening with the speakers, assuming all the equipment is functioning OK, and again, not being played too loud.

If at all possible, see if you can try another pair of speakers, that have a soft dome tweeter. Maybe something used, or from a store that has a try, and return policy.
Don't try anything that has a metal tweeter in it, at all. Some soft fabric dome (even soft silk dome) , or a soft poly/polymer type of dome tweeter. These don't normally have this ringing resonance that is common with metal dome tweeters. They talk some about the tweeter resonance here on another similar model. Also this model is another example of that tweeter resonance (I call it noise) frequencies not heard by a lot of people. You could see the peaks at the right side (high frequency tweeter side) of the graph called "Frequency in Hz."

If you could do this no cost speaker swap trial with soft dome tweeters, that may be the answer your seeking. This would be what I would try first, if it was me. This is the best I can picture might be happening with your description, except the crackling part. But that may be how you hear it, if your sensitive to it. I hope this helps.
The Rotel is a 60W amp (from what I found on the web), which means with lower sensitivity monitors, like the small Paradigms, it's pretty easy to push enough power through the Rotel to cause it to clip.

Do you notice the crackle all the time, or only when you turn it up a little and during the program peaks?
Paradigms are noted for harsh high end, IMHO they are voiced to stand out in a showroom playing rock.
THE Canadian speaker is PSB, never heard one that sounded harsh.