2. cables
  3. 172720-167068

How to tame a bright system?

Hi all,

I have been facing a problem, the brightness of my system:

Bluesound n130  --- Chord dave ---- audioquest fire (xlr) ---- Etude  ---- copper wire ---- B&W 606s2.

 

The brightness shows up, particularly after I upgrade the cable from the chord company clearway (RCA) to the AQ fire (XLR).  AQ fire really improved everything. However, the high frequency is too cristal to my ears (especially the "ding, ding" sound from the piano, I believe most of the people would love it but not me .... ).  I like the cheap clearway, but it does not have the excellent bass and the dynamic offered by fire. I also tried with AQ Mackenzie (copper) which gives a proper sound but lacks space. I also found the vocal of fire is a bit forward (I am not really big fun of forwarding vocal).

Can someone help to recommend a cable that has everything of clearway but more dynamic and extension at the low end? I think this would be an ideal cable for my current system.

 

If possible, please help to focus on the cable rather than the other components. I know there is a lot to improve, but not at the moment.  Thanks a lot guys!  ;-) 

 

 

 

tension255
erik_squires
16,138 posts
 

I think cables are the wrong way to go, but if you must, mid-range Wireworld cables generally are pretty warm sounding.

You may find listening on the woofer axis to be more pleasant, as well as reducing the toe-in.

Finally there is room treatment. Taming the mid/highs will help the bass bloom.

tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,052 posts
 

If you can wait until you are in your 60's, the problem will solve itself, otherwise I would look into replacing the speakers.

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

Not the wire. Change the speakers. First find some with at least 92dB sensitivity that have the warm sound you are looking for. 92dB because this will give you a lot more amplifier choices, especially in your price range, that will also have the warm sound you want. Then you will find the Fire sound just fine.

Finally, put everything on Nobsound springs. Real nice improvement and with the added bonus they will allow you to further tune and refine to get just the balance you want. Nothing else out there even close, certainly not for the money.

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,520 posts
 

I'd try some Kimber PBJs and some lower line AudioQuest Type 4. If that doesn't get you there, it's speakers or preamp time but I'd give the softer cables a try first.

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,308 posts
 

Sounds like a pairing that could easily come off as too bright or fatiguing in many cases. Are the tweets firing directly at you? Try playing with toe-in/out perhaps so not direct exposure to tweets. Also you might be able to easily attenuate the tweets as an experiment by covering them with various loosely woven fabrics. If bare floors a rug in front of speakers is usually a good idea. Sound absorption at first reflection points on wall and ceiling another option.

More to discover