Anyone have experience with using de-esser for sibilance in home audio system?

It is generally around 7-8k. I’ve found that speaker height and toe in can make a difference. My speakers have level control of mids and highs, and using a calibrated mic and RTA to voice them differently helps a lot. I can reduce that 7-8k range and almost eliminate the sibilance. 
A high quality studio de-esser is something I’ve considered as a last resort. I wish more mixers used them effectively. Compression accentuates natural sibilance and some singers have sibilant voices. It can also be accentuated by mastering compression. 

Definitively get Schitt Loki and check it out ... cheap and quiet 

OP:  A hearing test would be very helpful.  In particular, it is possible you have lost hearing everywhere BUT the sibilance range.  In that case, instead of lowering the sibilance you may need to raise the surrounding frequencies.

@asvjerry

My best, and best for the prognosis....Jerry.

Thanks!

@clustrocasual

Weiss makes a DAC with a de-esser in it.

Yes; I’m aware of this but based upon reviews, I’m not convinced I’d enjoy its presentation -- not organic enough, I’m guessing. If I could buy one and return it (without a re-stock fee), I might try it out.

@lanx0003

In my case, it appears to be gear-dependent.

So far, I’ve swapped out everything but the integrated, with no change. I’m expecting delivery of another, today, so we’ll see.

@mashif

It is generally around 7-8k. I’ve found that speaker height and toe in can make a difference.

I’ve moved speakers around a lot, with some difference but not really enough to matter. I haven’t played with height. Did you move tweeter higher or lower than ear-level?

@erik_squires

Assuming you DO hear it through headphones, then EQ is the right answer instead of a de-esser, compressor.

Thanks for the clarification.

@baylinor

Instead I use the Loki max eq. Not often but it comes in handy with poorly sounding recordings. If that does not help, it surely would be your ears and just like tinnitus, the best way to deal with it is to learn to accept it, relax and enjoy whatever sounds you can still hear. Good luck to you.

I haven’t found my Lokius helps. I find it hard to relax and enjoy vocal music when it’s marred by unnaturally emphasized s’s, t’s and p’s. If you can, more power to you!

@erik_squires

OP: A hearing test would be very helpful. In particular, it is possible you have lost hearing everywhere BUT the sibilance range. In that case, instead of lowering the sibilance you may need to raise the surrounding frequencies.

Important distinction! Thanks for this.

Correct, the Lokius is not an EQ but rather a tone control and thus will not allow one to hone in on the offending frequency band precisely enough.