Hi there,
Am looking to correct my bright sounding speakers and therefore hope to be able to consult you. If need be, i seriously consider to upgrade my speakers.
Currently, my hifi set up is :
- NAD Power Amp C275 BEE
- NAD Pre Amp C165 BEE
- Chord Company: Epic Twin speaker cables
- Tara Labs : Spectrum 3a Interconnects
- Mordaunt Short Mezzo 6 (Tower speakers)
- Marantz CDP (2003 model)
- Def Tech Supercube 4000 sub
Problem :
The Mezzos sounded bright and after almost 4 years, it still sounded bright. For extended listening duration, my ears can get tired and fatigue and then, it is worse if i crank up the volume. Bass response is way below average and i thought a sub (just bought in 2012) might do the trick (which it did but only for the bass) and solve the brightness problem. Unfortunately, its still there.
I understand and was told that NAD amplifiers are characteristically punchy and warm sounding. Please correct me if i'm wrong ?
I was toying with the idea of changing the speakers. I heard the B & W 685 and Kandy K II combo and i thought they sounded warm & fabulous.
I am typically a 80 % music and 20 % home theatre (2.1 to me is just fine) person and the entire hi-fi set is in the living hall (19' L x 12' B x 15' H) with an extension to a small dining area. The speakers fire across the 12' B of the living hall. It is stuff with the usual furniture, sofas, a coffee table resting on medium size piece of rug and flooring is ceramic tiles.
I listen to a variety of music genres but mostly jazz fusion music/vocals + sometimes contemporary pop and classical. in the living area and sometimes from my bedroom. I like to fill the entire home (960 sq feet) with background music sometimes soft, sometimes upped (about 9 o'clock on the volume knob).
I recently demoed the CM1 and vs 685. CM1 was very smooth and musical in all departments.
Clarity was sweet and top notched but never bright. Bass was extended with good soundstage. The 685 was good too but once the speakers were switched A/B and compared headon, the CM1s are clear winners. The audio shop i demoed was using a Rotel intergrated amp, not sure which model though.
Question:
Through youtr experience, basing on my set up, do you think the brightness problem lies with
the speakers?
Would my NAD pre/power amps be good enough to drive the B & Ws ?
Which would be most suitable - the 685s or CMs . I personally like the CM5.
The audio showroom permits me to bring the NAD + Marantz CDP down for a more accurate
auditioning.
Really appreciate your advice.
With much thanks.
zhou
Am looking to correct my bright sounding speakers and therefore hope to be able to consult you. If need be, i seriously consider to upgrade my speakers.
Currently, my hifi set up is :
- NAD Power Amp C275 BEE
- NAD Pre Amp C165 BEE
- Chord Company: Epic Twin speaker cables
- Tara Labs : Spectrum 3a Interconnects
- Mordaunt Short Mezzo 6 (Tower speakers)
- Marantz CDP (2003 model)
- Def Tech Supercube 4000 sub
Problem :
The Mezzos sounded bright and after almost 4 years, it still sounded bright. For extended listening duration, my ears can get tired and fatigue and then, it is worse if i crank up the volume. Bass response is way below average and i thought a sub (just bought in 2012) might do the trick (which it did but only for the bass) and solve the brightness problem. Unfortunately, its still there.
I understand and was told that NAD amplifiers are characteristically punchy and warm sounding. Please correct me if i'm wrong ?
I was toying with the idea of changing the speakers. I heard the B & W 685 and Kandy K II combo and i thought they sounded warm & fabulous.
I am typically a 80 % music and 20 % home theatre (2.1 to me is just fine) person and the entire hi-fi set is in the living hall (19' L x 12' B x 15' H) with an extension to a small dining area. The speakers fire across the 12' B of the living hall. It is stuff with the usual furniture, sofas, a coffee table resting on medium size piece of rug and flooring is ceramic tiles.
I listen to a variety of music genres but mostly jazz fusion music/vocals + sometimes contemporary pop and classical. in the living area and sometimes from my bedroom. I like to fill the entire home (960 sq feet) with background music sometimes soft, sometimes upped (about 9 o'clock on the volume knob).
I recently demoed the CM1 and vs 685. CM1 was very smooth and musical in all departments.
Clarity was sweet and top notched but never bright. Bass was extended with good soundstage. The 685 was good too but once the speakers were switched A/B and compared headon, the CM1s are clear winners. The audio shop i demoed was using a Rotel intergrated amp, not sure which model though.
Question:
Through youtr experience, basing on my set up, do you think the brightness problem lies with
the speakers?
Would my NAD pre/power amps be good enough to drive the B & Ws ?
Which would be most suitable - the 685s or CMs . I personally like the CM5.
The audio showroom permits me to bring the NAD + Marantz CDP down for a more accurate
auditioning.
Really appreciate your advice.
With much thanks.
zhou