Klipsch Forte ii too bright, or is it my room ?


Help? Certain music makes my ears hurt from my bright sounding Klipsh Forte ii's (Sonny Rollins Saxophone Colossus), Or is it my room full of glass and tile? Or am I listening too loud (80 db), or my 1970's Pioneer receiver? I just ordered some dynamat to put on the rear of the horns. Some music is good though. I have often though about getting another pair of speakers so I can switch back and forth or run all four depending on the music. Any advise?
128x128peterjc
Sorry corelli720 so many posts. Ok I bought these in 1990 and demoed them at either the local good guys or best buy. I liked them a lot. I was 34 and still listening to a lot of rock and of course wanted a speaker that was, well, LOUD and they sure fit the bill. Now I don’t turn it up so loud as much. I still love the Klipsch for a lot of music, especially music with horns like Sonny Rollins or ’Modern Love’ by David Bowie. I listened to the Rolling Stones today and they did well for ’Brown Sugar’ (sax) and also did well on ’Wild Horses’. I don’t hate nor dislike the speakers. My original post indicates that I am uncomfortable with "certain music". I really don’t want to cover the room with curtains as it is the kitchen, dining & living room all in one big room with +/- 350 sq.ft. of glass. It was a nice day in central California today so I had all the sliders open to enjoy the air / view. I don’t want to close all the doors and be sitting in a movie theater atmosphere, yes maybe at night that would be great. Some advise has helped, toe in, EQ settings. I got really great bass I never knew they had by pulling them out from the wall. I will dynamat the other speaker next weekend and post how it turns out. Dynamat on the one not a lot of difference. Any advice is appreciated. I have learned a lot from the thread. Thanks again, Peter
@peterjc That's helpful information Peter.  It really helps focus things as far as what options you have.  Given your limitations on your room, this may be a bit of a challenge.  Our musical priorities and living spaces can change over time.  My original concern for you was not to spend too much cash on things that may not be a "fix" for you.  I think any changes on the front end and amplifier will be subtle compared to say a new speaker or alteration of room acoustics.  I personally would want to do an in home audition of any gear that is suggested.  Tubes can be wonderful but I have heard tube amps that were less smooth and more up front than some relatively affordable SS gear--so no guarantees that is the fix.  You would have to try it.  But will it be enough??  Only you can be the judge.      

Back 40 yrs ago (arghhh!) I had a pair of Altec Lansing Santana II's,  Great rock and roll speaker.  Would love to hear them again with some of my old LP's. While they sounded great with some recordings, they just had too much edge and listener fatigue with others.  It limited my musical enjoyment.  So on I went to a pair of Magnepan MG-1's.

So you said you "don't hate nor dislike" the speaker.  My question is do you love them!  If not, under current circumstances, maybe another speaker would allow you to enjoy all of your music.

But for now, keep doing what you are doing.  Tweak the damping of the speaker and horns.  Keep playing with placement.  Don't rule out fashionable or portable acoustic treatments.  Some can look pretty cool.  Lastly, I would look at associated equipment.  It seems to balance out a bright room and a bright speaker, any gear would have to be rather colored to accomplish that feat.  Would be really nice if you had a dealer or local audio buddies that could let you the benefit of home audition before you spend your $$.  Let us know how it turns out and good luck finding what you are after Peter.
With Horn / compression drivers, I have always preferred lower-power tube amps. Listening in close proximity to horn / compression transducers at louder levels can cause listener fatigue. With lower-power tube amps, the Forte should be much more tolerable and not sound quite so bright.
Update: All speakers and cabinets now dynamatted and sound a little better. The toe in helped, pulling them out to +/- 12" from the wall helped. Planning to stuff the bottom cavity with foam. Will hang blankets soon and update. Someone mentioned replacing the tweeters with another type but I can't find the post. Anyone remember?
Maybe leave out foam from Beth woofers?

Do you have an REW sweep of the room?