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Can "Dark"Sounding Speakers Be "Brightened"UP???

One of my buds has a pair of the original Sonus Faber Concertino speakers(bi-wireable)partnered with a Peachtree Audio Decco,driven by a HP Laptop & cabled with all Audioquest copper cables(usb,power & speaker).While listening to my new Toy Monitors & Peachtree Audio MusicBox driven by an Asus Laptop recently he commented that he was able to hear treble frequencies(especially cymbals)on my system much better than on his & wondered if anything short of changing speakers could be done.
I have read that Silver Plated Copper cables tend to sound a touch brighter than all copper & was wondering if you folks think switching to all Silver Plated Copper(i'm thinking Nordost or DH Labs)cables might bring the treble up a bit in his system?
Thanks for your input,take care...
freediver
mathewm
23 posts
 
Back in the late 90's when I first heard the Concertinos at a Tweeter store, they were driven by a Marantz receiver (no idea on the model). Listened to a variety of material and I heard plenty of "sparkle" in the treble. Flash forward ten years and I finally purchase a used pair. I paired them with a VTL tube amp. Unfortunately, I heard much of what your friend describes. So basically I'm thinking that Concertinos are picky about amplification.
deep_333
1,508 posts
 

Get a Schiit Loki max analog eq. You can make all kinds of 'synergy' happen between different amps, speakers and so on!!

https://www.schiit.com/products/loki-max

perkadin's avatar
perkadin
286 posts
 

What you are describing is the difference between the soft dome in the Concertino and the ring tweeter in the Toy.  Cables won’t make any actual differences however like any placebo they can be effective if you believe in the change.  Changing amplification or using tone controls will alter the sound and may get them a little closer to what they are looking for.  In my experience tube amps can add a bit of realism to instruments like cymbals and that can liven up a soft dome tweeter.  It’s subtle so don’t expect it to shimmer quite like a ring or metal dome tweeter, but it should be a step in the right direction depending upon the amp/tubes.  My experience is with Dynaudio speakers (soft dome) and the Willsenton R8.  

erik_squires
16,289 posts
 

Cables are the most expensive form of tone control.

Room acoustics and actual tone controls are usually far more cost effective solutions.

Having said this, if the user is fond of certain brands of cable like mid range Wireworld he may do much better going to more neutral wiring like Mogami.  A lot of big brand cables are, IMHO, deliberately darker, though they do seem to image a little better in exchange for that.

mlsstl
1,440 posts
 

Starting at $149 you can buy a Schiit Loki Mini+ four band equalizer which will allow you to experiment with different settings to your heart's content. For $300, their Lokius expands this to a six band EQ. (They also have a still fancier unit for $1,500....)

I've always found it interesting that many audiophiles are so willing to adjust the tone quality of their system with wires, amps or preamps that offer only one change in the frequency balance of their system but won't consider a device that lets them quickly adjust the tone as needed by different recordings.

Just a thought....

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