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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
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

@Millercarbon Yes it is copy past because I stated "Its One of the solutions" in this case https://mathaudio.com/room-eq.htm.

https://mathaudio.com/testimonials.htm

I could have taken the same point from other solutions like Dirac, Lyngdorf , REW etc etc.

Point is you avoid the statement from me that really matters "whats wrong with measuring". Further more we could have an endless discussion about EQ, DSP, Room correction an again IMO leave it to the listener that has to decide. Probably we agree on one statement “Music/sound is in the ear of the beholder”.😉

  • I like the idea of a measurement.
  • I like the idea of compensating the room.

The idea of swapping cables to get some magic synergy seems like more of a crap shoot.

I am onboard.

stuartk
3,015 posts
 

"Chord + Chord + B&W.  There you have it: a recipe for brightness"

 + 1

 

 

 

denverfred's avatar
denverfred
252 posts
 

I chose Dynaudio speakers over B&W for exactly this reason. The B&W tweeter may measure impeccably but it can really get edgy. Tube buffer?

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

Crickets.

brylandgoodman
92 posts
 

Even if auditioning isn’t possible I would try a pair of Harbeth C7es3 xd. I can’t imagine you wouldn’t be happy. They are not overly warm whatsoever like some might have you think. They have a pretty similar frequency balance but with much much smoother upper missa and treble. The tone will a absolutely blow away your 606s. Really they are just in another league compared to the B&Ws and the Kefs. I understand liking your speakers despite their brightness. I went through this with Totema for over 5 years before moving on to smoother pastures. I tried Dynaudio Special 40s as well and really didn’t get the hype. To me they were very soulless although impressive in some hifi ways. ATC and Proac would be other good places to look. I think you will be blown away if you try any of these. I find nearly all speakers from companies who pump out “full lines” lacking. They make a 5in and a 6in bookshelf, then a 5in and 6in floor stander, as well as centers. Then they do it all over again for there mid tier and upper tier. Only to replace all of them every three years. I find it very difficult to believe much or any tuning be ear is done. The companies I’ve mentioned focus on a handful of speakers and make small changes over time but each has been fine tuned to a very high level. Anyways just my two cents but I’d strongly recommend branching out even if it means you have to buy to try.  

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