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Aggrivated tinnitus from speakers?

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and was looking for some advice. I recently put together a system comprised of a McIntosh MA6900 + a pair of KEF R7s.

I've always had hearing sensitive to high frequencies, and have a very high frequency tinnitus at 18,000k. That's why I went with the Mac, as everyone talks about how smooth and musical it is. When I was shopping for speakers, I was doing a lot of research but then the KEF R7's went on crazy sale and I was able to pick up a pair for under 2k. It seemed like too much of a deal to pass up, especially with all of the glowing reviews, but maybe that was a mistake on my part...

I'm noticing when I listen to the system, my tinnitus activates at a lower frequency for several hours afterwards. I notice this most on FLAC / MQA - quality tracks on Tidal (via WIIM w/ integrated DAC, at very reasonable volumes - <85db ) It seems to happen less when I listen to vinyl or CD-Quality tracks, but it still happens.

It's driving me crazy and I'm so disappointed as I thought this was going to be my ultimate setup and I dropped a lot of $. The Mac has just been to an auth service center for new lamps and was bench tested and given a perfect bill of health after a small bias adjustment, so I don't think it's the problem.

I decided to use some headphones to see if I experienced the same thing... Senn. HD650's let me listen for long periods without problems. HD660S2s seem to give me maybe a little sensitivity after awhile, but the sensitivity I get from the KEF's is totally different.

I realize I should have demoed the speakers, but I just jumped on the deal - partially on their reputation and also because their narrow, tall size was ideal for the room layout.

Any advice on how to get to the bottom of this? Do I need to test different speakers or do I need to treat the room? I'd hate to give up the Master level recordings because I mentally swim in the detail and love it. I just hate the thought of not being able to enjoy the system properly, but I'm not sure where to start on making  it work for me.

 

 

128x128omegaman79
zlone
691 posts
 

What was your previous system? Just headphones? Is it possible that the increased bass with the R7’s is causing the problem? I have KEF’s and tinnitus, and a very smooth system that makes it easy to play louder than my ears care for.  And loud for me is still less than 85 db. I find my tinnitus acts up after some sessions when the volume has creeped up a bit, and more bass seems to make it worse. 

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,424 posts
 

I wish there was some easy inexpensive solution for you, but I seriously doubt it. Since vinyl is not as painful to your tinnitus as your streaming I definitely agree with starting with a tamed dac like Denafrips, even the entry level Aries 2. Then a dedicated streamer at least to the level of the Node. At this point, working with the room's acoustics in your current setup is unlikely to cure your problem. However, to tame the brightness, and contrary to the previous poster, I recommend more absorbers than diffusers. You can see my experience with room acoustics under my system.

dinosore
108 posts
 

I have tinnitus that comes and goes and, for the life of me, cannot determine any correlation to what may trigger it.  When it does bother me, I do not like to listen to headphones.  Between my two systems, one of them is in my basement man-cave with laid-back Elac speakers in a heavily damped room.  I can tolerate listening here a little better than my main system, where the room is a little livelier (but not by much).  I always listen at moderate volumes (in the 60s and 70s).

There are many things that can cause or trigger tinnitus, so the experience of others may not apply to you.  That said, your description of the room leads me to suspect it may be too bright with too much reverb.  For the clap test, put your phone in the listening position and record your clap (from the speaker position).  I suspect you might hear much more of an echo.  Your ears work to mask it a bit.

Also, have you tried the Wiim through your amp's DAC?

 

tablejockey
3,917 posts
 

"have a very high frequency tinnitus at 18,000k."

I have RAGING tinnitus.

How did you get that number confirmed?

There is no "one size fits all" tip for managing/living with it. Try everything till something sticks.

boxcarman
425 posts
 

Tinnitus here too.  Not severe though.  I usually use lower volume.  I even called the tinnitus hotline, but they never pick up, it just keeps on ringing.......

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