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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
moto_man
376 posts
 

I have Menieres Syndrome in my L ear, a symptom of which is low frequency loss, and tinnitus.  it goes into remission for 6-7 years and then rages for a month or so, and then reduces.  The tinnitus never goes away but it does get quieter, when in remission.  A couple of weeks ago when I had an active attack, I literally couldn't hear anything in my L ear.  Now, hearing is back for the most part, tinnitus is down.  My MD put me on a 4 day lemon juice/water fast and my tinnitus went from a 7 to a 3.  There is an entire thread on hearing aids here as well, which many have said actually improves the tinnitus and makes their stereo sound better.

I have been interested in identifying the frequency of my hiss.  it's frustrating that there is no treatment for tinnitus that works.  A recent study on the NIH website shows that the use of Far Infrared laser in the ear canal, coupled with Gingko Biloba was statistically better than the control group, so there you go.

It's frustrating . . . my favorite way to relax is to listen to music and I have a pretty good system for that.  The tinnitus just messes up the soundstage, and pisses me off.  That concludes my rant.

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kclone's avatar
kclone
689 posts
 

Bringing up an old thread.  Earlier in this thread I mentioned I had the Polk R700s and they were tinitus friendly.  Since then I got the audiophile itch to upgrade speakers and bought the horn loaded Klipsch Cornwall IVs.  Users and reviewers said they were great at low volumes, so I thought I could get full dynamic sounds at low levels.  I modded the crossovers with V-Cap Odam capacitors and Path Audio resistors, and I dampened the midrange and the horn loaded titanium tweeter. To go with it I have the Laiv Harmony DAC and still the McIntosh 8950 integrated amp.  Cables are all Audio Envy USB, PC for streamer, and Hijiri Tukumi  for the amp.   So, despite everything I put in front including cables, with the Klipsch I have noticed my tinnitus has seemed to have gotten worse.  My system doesn't sound bright or hard, except for when one of those type of recordings come on.  I'm not sure why the issue has gotten worse.  I don't really listen loud, but because it sounds so enjoyble I do listen for long periods.   Maybe duration is the issue?  Maybe the titanium tweeter?  Anyway, it got me wondering about maybe another speaker change and go with a tinnitus friendly design.  Mihorn posted about the KEFs, maybe not the safest route but I do want to audition the KEF Reference 5 Metas because I like their looks.  

mihorn
523 posts
 

OP Aggrivated tinnitus from speakers?

I had severe tinnitus for many years. Tinnitus has disappeared after my system’s sound became natural like the right speaker in below.

All audio systems in the world sound like the left speaker in below. No wonder so many people suffer from tinnitus since they hear the harsh sound like the left one (brain must process that crazy sound) and they don’t even know it. I’m sure your tinnitus will be better if your system sounds more natural which is easy to achieve.

https://youtu.be/IHf_FSa8amE?si=BWt42OA_PScXh8cH

Alex/Wavetouch audio

pete77
2 posts
 

Littleman, any progress to report on your Lenire treatment?  I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on purchasing the kit and would love to hear (no pun intended) your progress, thanks .

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