Wharfedale Jade 3 aluminium tweeter problem

@Wim1983

After reading your description, I recalled that Sterophile had reviewed and measured your speakers a bit back and decided to look through its numbers. A couple of the measurements do seem to substantiate your impression. From about 3.5Khz-12Khz, the tweeter response is elevated by about 5db. Now this could often be used to balance a design that has wide dispersion differences between drivers, but the following dispersion graphs show a wide and well balanced dispersion. The other figure that is of note is a resonance in the tweeter at 20Khz, which will be audible to mostly younger ears.

That being said, no cable will be able to tame this treble response to your satisfaction. If the speaker has that first row presentation, the extra treble energy would be even more apparent. With that information, you might be able to use an EQ to balance out the treble, but the results may still be not to your liking. Some designers do add a little rise in the upper end of the treble to add a bit of air, but this design has its rise through most of the usable treble range. Good luck with it all, but I feel you don't have an ideal match for yourself.

@Mmeysarosh: Thx for the technical details and explanation. I just try to drive it using Marantz PM6005, it seem the high freq smooth a bit, sibilant are gone and not noticeable, but the overall balance still not there, and sound noisy to me, it seem the Jade 3 is a forward speakers, need very careful matching, while the Denton is kinda LS 3/5a sound, pairs with transparent amp, I will say it's not laid back sound, but very engaging to listen to, plus the Denton bass is very good. Hmm I wonder do we have a balanced LS 3/5a amp with just nice bass for forward speakers like Jade 3? Seem hard to match huh?

Its always an interesting take when going between a speaker that is forward and provides a certain 'immediacy' to the sound and one that is more laid back, but draws the listener in. My experiences has shown that a little laid back is more my speed. Much of it comes from how many recordings these days are themselves a bit edgy and a forward sound that isn't perfection can be tiring. They can sound wonderful with certain recordings, but the point is to enjoy the music and they somehow detract form that experience.

Marantz does have a reputation for a more musical approach to its balance so its good to hear that it has helped. You might want to consider a small sub to fill out the bottom octave. It might just add enough fullness and balance from the bottom to top.

I have to report again. Just few hours ago, I switch out the Denton, and connect back Jade 3, hmm this time I feel not much fatigueness, it's resonance become very very low, though the mid feeling is not color or as thick as the Denton, but the noisy effect suddenly not so obvious to me. Though I still can hear cymbal and sibilant, like piano or metal related sound, hmm perhaps I really should give more time for the speakers to break in, the bass still feel a little shy to me, but it's good resonance is lowest so far I've heard from any speakers. What do you guys think?

I lost track of this thread several days in my own frantic pursuit of a monitor speaker. However, let me ask (if others have not,) the following questions:

1) Did you audition the Jade 3 speakers in an audio shop, or hear them at a friend'ss house??

2) If you heard them in an audio store, what type of equipment what being used to drive the speakers, that is, separates, integrated amp or AV receiver?? If separates do you remember what brand??

3 How did the Jade 3's sound in the shop?? Were you 90% convinced they sounded very good, and enjoyable to listen to your music?? Did you encounter similar problems or almost similar problems as what you described above??

4) Ask the dealer if you can swap out the demo models for your own, even if it is for 24 hour. If the demoes sound better or much better in your system, then there is something wrong with the speaker.

5) Regrettably, you have done much of heavy lifting for me. I was ready to buy a pair J-3's from Music Direct, after enquiring about the Denton speakers, which have received so many positive testimonials I based my choice on the reviews because there are no Wharfdale dealers in SoCal where I live

For me, the Jade 3 's are now out!!. I cannot wait a 1000 hours plus for them to sound as phenomenal as Bob Reina of Stereophile or Steve Guttenberg (of CNET) claimed. At 69 years old, a 1000 hours plus is previous time, the mortality gate can swing in either direction in the blink of an eye. Best Wishes, Sunnyjim

Let us know about the above questions I posed, unless they have already been answered. Remember, you are not wedded to either the dealer or product; there are too many good speakers out there now both used and new in your price range.