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.
@j_andrews - that's very interesting; I may look into that. I've worn hearing aids for about 20 years and have a hissy tinnitus that is sometimes louder and sometimes softer. When I first had my hearing checked back then, there was a difference between the left and right hearing, so I got sent for that MRI, too, and the results were fine. People aren't always symmetrical! |
Your WiiM is fine - if it is the Pro Plus, with its much better DAC inside, (not the hockey puck one). Several reviewers on YouTube say if you use it to feed an external DAC, they are fine up to the price point of say a $2000 DAC to get as much from it as you can. |
@j_andrews Thanks for sharing. I have a Lenire provider near me, something I am considering. But it's $5K, inflated for California I suppose. Can you share what caused your tinnitus (I.E., aging, exposure to noise, pharma?) and what does your audiogram look like or can you note you hearing loss ranges? I'm happy to share mine. Mine was caused by getting too close to a massive bank of JBLs at an outdoor rave 30 years ago.
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According to the docs, my tinnitus is caused by my asymmetrical hearing loss. I was in loud rock punk bands when I was in my late teens, very early 20's. I'm now in my late forties. I've listened to music all my life and seen a lot of shows. I suspect my lack of concern in my youth is what has lead to my hearing loss and symptomatic tinnitus. The hair-like cells in our inner ear die off with age and damage ...as they die, they emit electrical impulses which are interpreted by the brain and cochlear as ringing/tinnitus, etc. My audiogram essentially shows a few dB dip on my left side only between 4k and 6k. I don't really notice the hearing loss at all on a daily basis. Listening to music is 99% fine....not counting the tinnitus which can sometimes disrupt it. That said, the Lenire treatment has improved my daily quality of life no doubt. |
