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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
zipline11 OP
18 posts
 
Thanks for all the replies.  Looks like I've got some experimenting to do. Positioning them straight ahead may be the way to go in that room with these speakers and oddly enough I thought there MAY have been improvement when there were no spikes (the manual advises to try to have the front of the speaker higher than the back and thus the need for the spikes).  I feel like that breaks all sorts of rules and covenants but I may have those babies sitting on the carpet with no spikes at all.  
And inna I did buy the speakers unheard.  Took a risk I know but really no other possible way due to location of being out in the middle of nowhere.
And stereo5 I did try moving them closer to the wall but the feeling of the upper mid range being about two notches higher in volume than the rest of the range (even when I think that really ALL of the range individually sounds good including the bass).  Kind of a weird problem.  Anyway I will get to work on trying to find the sweet spot and thanks again everyone
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czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Now I know why you need break-in period!

1. Adapt to a new different sound.
2. Miss the return/refund date, because you'll need to add a few more days/hours to break in.

newbee
4,768 posts
 
While you are fiddling around with the toe-in of your speakers, you might try crossing the axis of your speakers in front of your listening position. The result is often very similar to firing the speakers straight ahead except you can avoid some of the brightness that side wall reflections can create when the speakers are pointed straight ahead. 
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.
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