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Vocals and upper midrange too forward?

Hey all - I just have a question regarding my new speakers.  I would say I am an audiophile apprentice.  I just got new speakers in the system and likely they have a more sophisticated sound with tighter bass and likely more detail but I think that the upper midrange (my words but it seems to be noticeable with male vocals and some guitar etc) is too forward.  Current system uses Prima Luna Dialog HP Integrated and went from Totem Sttaf to Devore Fidelity Gibbon 88.  I notice it both with analog and CD sources.  At first the sound was more "advanced" with the Devore speakers and I was hearing things in the vocals with bands like the Allman Brothers that I had not heard before.  As time goes on, I am starting to think it may border on the fatiguing.  The Sttaf with the silk dome tweeter may be more to my liking though would be a trade off with more cabinet resonance I think with the Sttaf.  Not sure if there is any fix but am I missing anything?  Anyone have similar experience?  All parts of the system are broken in I believe (I bought the Devore speakers used).  There actually may have been an improvement in the sound with the Devore speakers before the spikes were added as they were being shipped and I could not wait.  But now I have the spikes in place and positioned well I think.  Thanks in advance.
zipline11
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I can recall at least one review (Positive Feedback?) that described the speaker as bright, with elevated response through the presence region.  That's pretty common among audiophile designs, IME.  A lot of speakers trade strict neutrality off for increased perception of detail and enhanced dynamic  "jump" factor.  A little goosing in the presence region can really make a speaker sound exciting.

Damping the first reflection on the walls and floor can often help tame that a bit, but the speaker may just be a bit forward for your tastes.
skoczylas's avatar
skoczylas
240 posts
 
In general I agree with Marty - this is one reason I dont like a lot of "high end" speakers and prefer classics like harbeth. 

Bigger issue is if you dont love them now - and its clear you do not -  its unlikely tweaking will help. You might end up spending a lot of money, be really frustrated, etc. Seriously consider cutting your losses now and switch speakers rather than go down this rabbit hole. 
zipline11 OP
18 posts
 
Thanks everyone.  I am not giving up yet.  Gonna try a few things and then I still have the Totem speakers to go back to if needed.  
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,829 posts
 
Try swapping your speaker cables for ordinary 14 gauge romex NM-B mains cable. Nothing to lose. You might be surprised.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
While the Gibbon 88 is nominally specified as an 8 ohm speaker, if you already haven’t I would strongly suggest trying them with the 4 ohm output taps of your amp. For a couple of reasons:

1)The 4 ohm tap will have a significantly lower output impedance than the 8 ohm tap, and I suspect that the Gibbon 88 has a significant impedance rise in the upper mid-range, in the vicinity of the crossover point between drivers. The interaction of high amplifier output impedance and that kind of speaker impedance characteristic will result in increased emphasis of that part of the spectrum.

2)The measurements section of Stereophile’s review of the DiaLogue Premium HP states that "... the lowest mid-frequency distortion was obtained when the 4 ohm tap was used to drive 8 ohms.... These graphs suggest that the 4 ohm tap is best used with loudspeakers whose impedance ranges from 4 to 16 ohms, as long as this tap can provide sufficient gain."

Also, if you already haven’t it might be worthwhile trying whichever output stage operating mode (triode or ultra-linear) that you haven’t been using.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

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