How to tame a bright system?

"Bright" is definitely subjective. However, I have noticed in my own listening sessions that there is a lot of "bright" gear out there in the audio component world. I think that in their efforts to expand detail and soundstage, many audio manufacturers are now making products that sound brighter than their older models. This isn't a new problem, and it has affected the recording industry as well. I'm no expert, but I would say that this trend started with the advent of digital music. I notice it particularly with digital remasters of older recordings. I personally prefer the older analog recordings on vinyl to just about any other source. 

That being said, I do agree with some of the others who have indicated that B&W make some bright speakers. They'll dazzle you with detail, but their top-end glare can drive you nuts after a while. The one B&W speaker I have enjoyed in all of it's different iterations is the 805. I feel that this is now - and always has been - the most balanced and enjoyable speaker they've ever made. Just an opinion. 

In my main system I have a tube preamp running a pair of class A monobloc amps. I am using a pair of monitor speakers from England. When I finally got this system set up, I found that I could truly enjoy all of my music. Nothing seemed too "bright" anymore. Granted, you can't fix a crappy recording, even with the best audio gear. But most of what I listen to is vinyl and streaming, and it all sounds terrific.

Building a system takes time and money. This can be a very expensive hobby. As many of the others in this forum have suggested, I recommend auditioning different speakers. I agree with the "soft dome" tweeter recommendation (Dynaudio is great), and I think the ring radiators (Aerial, Sonus faber) are really good, too. Also, I strongly recommend giving GoldenEar a listen. I have a pair of these hooked up to a tube integrated amp in a separate system, and they are amazing! 

Anyway, have fun and be patient. It took me five years and a lot of buying/selling gear before I got it right...for me. 😎

Aniwolf +1

While cost isn’t everything, it is something. An ok $599streamer into a $2.5k interconnect and $12.6k DAC means that you are hearing everything (good and bad) that the streamer is producing.

Put another way, at $599 they can only spend so much on parts as they also need to provide for design, marketing, manufacturing & labor so something has to give. I haven’t heard that streamer, but it seems like you’ve found its weakness by paring it with such a revealing DAC.

Upgrade everything ASAP!!

Thank you all. It's me again, coming back with some useful info. I tried several speakers at a local store. Unfortunately, most of them sound forward and the music can be aggressive sometime. When I was about to leave, I saw a pair of Dynaudio S1.4. Had the last try and settled on them. Mainly because they are laid-back. I fell like sitting on the 3-4 row rather than the front row. So even aggressive music cannot punch on my face anymore since they are played at a safe distance. 

Back to my original statement, I think it is not about bright or dark, but mainly for the sound stage (forward or backward). With a backward sound stage, everything solved on my side. I appreciate other suggestions all the same. Limited by the energy, knowledge and skills, I cannot try them all, even I believe they will all work well somehow. 

SO NOW I have Bluesound n130 - Dave - fire - Etude - a pair of white S1.4 (first version). 

Enjoying music better than before. 

BTW: I did not find many speakers that have a laid-back sound stage, except the S1.4 and special 40. Most of the speakers are forward and punching on your face (or we should call it 3D?). Can I ask for some comments on that, is there any other speakers (say 5 inch) has a laid-back sound stage but good imaging and space?

Thanks all, take care!

best,

T.

BTW: I was about to take the special 40, but their look really makes me hesitate. ...... why no white version ?!