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Hihat Question

Thanks in advance for your opinion-

My system is:

Anthem Integrated 225

Musical Fidelity Cd as Transport

Schiit Modi Multibit

Technics Sl 1200 mk2

Usher Cp6311

Morrow Cables

I like the system overall, plenty of bass, voices sound realistic, highs are not strident, etc.

As a drummer, I love to hear hihats, cymbals, etc. On some systems in the past I’ve heard more of this than through my setup. Most of these setups have been in the past on equipment I perceive is a lower grade than mine.

My question is: 

Should I be hearing most every hihat strike, close? Is hearing these sounds consistently the sound of a revealing system or a ‘tipped up’ presentation that I would likely tire of?

Live music varies to me in this respect, and the music on my my system varies as well. Unfortunately, I’m not able to demo where I live, so I’m interested in your opinion. Fwiw- I hear all a lot more treble in my automobile, but could be due to the euphoric goal of the manufacturer. I’m in my late 50’s, so that may play a part-

On many jazz albums, it’s all there, others not so much.

Sorry for the one post.

Thanks
uncledemp
audionoobie's avatar
audionoobie
361 posts
 

Can’t swing a dead cat around here without hitting a drummer....(another drummer here).

I too faced the same issue as you. I wanted more detail and was struggling to obtain it from my Vandersteen 2ce Sig II’s. The answer for me was to change speaker.

I auditioned Paradigm 75F (too bright and boomy at the same time); Focal 936 (very warm but where’s the detail?; Tekton Electron (slightly more detailed than the Vandersteen but had other issues for me); Triton One (again boomy, sounded like it would be a good home theatre speaker), and a few others that escape me at the moment.

Ultimately I settled on the Kef R7. Plently of detail. Perhaps slightly recessed in the mid-range. I find it to be a very forgiving speaker. I now have access to Rush and Journey recordings which I could never play on the Vandersteens.

I believe the vast majority of sound you hear is influenced by your choice of speaker. You can play around on the margins with different cables and amps; but in the end it’s hard to make up for a speaker that lacks the qualities you're looking for.

-Joe

uncledemp OP
779 posts
 
Joe,

I understand, one of my previous speakers were Vandersteen 2 sigs, and my experience seems similar. I also agree, in my system anyway, speakers make the biggest difference. 

Thanks for the feedback on the other models and your findings, I wondered about one of them in particular.

Good to know you can get the detail you want with the Kef and still consider them forgiving. Some of the popular vintage speakers I’ve owned had stronger highs, but that came with an irritating upper midrange to my ears. May be my hearing, my buddy never noticed the issues, and bought most of them.

Roberjerman, I have some Walsh ll I can rotate through, thanks for the feedback.


uncledemp OP
779 posts
 
Shadorne, thanks for the tip, I own some 10 wpc tube monos I can try out to see if it helps any- but they are not up to grade of gear you suggest. 

Tomic601, I better bow out of the drummers role now, especially after hearing Patricia Barber’s drummer for a few minutes last night. I can help haul gear...
erik_squires
16,123 posts
 
Dude, how about the tone controls on your integrated??
erik_squires
16,123 posts
 
One quick test you should do is sit about 1-2 feet away from your speakers. Can you hear the balance improve?

If the answer is yes, then you need better room acoustics. If the answer is no, then your speakers to source are to blame.
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