I've run through this thread three times so if I've missed this then appos. Have tried listening to them set up off axis , this may , just may , shift your goal posts. I would like to think that you have ?.
Overdose said:
You can't have it both ways......either Active speakers are much more accurate and neutral, or these active crossovers are not all they're cracked up to be.
I'm not sure recording studios would be queuing up to get nice smooth sounding active monitors with a rolled of treble (not great for looking deeply into a track)...it kind of defeats the purpose.
If you go the "Active Hifi Route", things tend to get very expensive, and the choice narrows dramatically......and the ones I've heard, certainly don't have a rolled off treble.
Arcam A19 with R100s sound quite smooth to my ears, so in this particular case, we are talking something with a golden midrange and a very smooth treble.....whereas Active speakers tend to give a clean and detailed presentation, often tipping a little into the analytical (which is the design brief for many).
NB. I am not being anti Active, but pro what I think is likely to meet the OP's needs / taste. eg A Unison Research "Simply Italy" Tube amp + Audio Note speakers is the sort of sound I think he is after, which is the antithesis of an Active set-up. In otherwards, it's about giving suggestions that IMO, have the greatest chance of success.
CnoEvil said:
Indeed Cno. Lets face it listening to music should be a pleasure not a ruddy chore. Ok some folks get pleasure from the analytical, in yer mush presentation (gawd knows why but each to their own). But I think the OP has realised that this 'modern' presentation isnt really for him. Perhaps he should get out there and have a word with his local dealer ,explain his likes and dislikes , and try out some different set ups. Taking a stab at just changing his amp or speakers isnt the way to go , unless he can get either/or on a prolonged home dem.
CnoEvil said:
Cno, this could be an interesting one.
I know the OP is talking about rolled off high frequencies but we really have no real idea where in the range the problems lie, so this is not a specific answer but a more general one.
I many designs the tweeter is 'rolled off' quite slowly, Epos being a prime example for instance, so it is still outputing significant output well below it's nominal crossover point. At these frequencies the tweeter is no longer linear so much of what it produces is quite heavily distorted and these distortions are heard as higher frequencies, giving the treble a bright, somewhat wearing quality.
This is part of the problems with 2 way designs, getting the tweeter to go low enough to take over from the bass/mid unit before it starts to break up, it is always a tricky call for the designer.
In active designs the crossover slope is often much higher 24db/octave being quite common so that, an octave below the nominal crossover frequency the tweeter is recieving far less signal than it's passive counterpart. Distortion is much reduced as the signal is lower anyway and the tweeter may not be driven as far into it's non linear range, so distortion is reduced still further.
So in this respect, and if tweeter non linearity is the issue, actives are usually superior.
Dons tin hat and awaiting incoming.......
ray:Incoming and waaaay off topic. Howard Popeck is still in the game Dave afaiaa.
As you were fellas.
As you were fellas.
How did this thread get on to the bloody ACTIVE is best again? I was suggesting the op used a good old fashioned 80's style equalizer to gently roll the treble down.
I know all the purists out there are screaming right now but given the quite frankly appalling production values of most modern pop, rock, metal music recorded today and compressed formats i dont think an equalizer is going to do any harm to be honest.
As suggested by putting the equalizer in the tape loop the op can just turn it into the signal path or not.
Also this gives the op to have a play with reducing the treble output or the treble extension. If the op likes the sound with the treble turned right down then perhaps it would highlight either hearing or room problems.
I know all the purists out there are screaming right now but given the quite frankly appalling production values of most modern pop, rock, metal music recorded today and compressed formats i dont think an equalizer is going to do any harm to be honest.
As suggested by putting the equalizer in the tape loop the op can just turn it into the signal path or not.
Also this gives the op to have a play with reducing the treble output or the treble extension. If the op likes the sound with the treble turned right down then perhaps it would highlight either hearing or room problems.
davedotco said:Dons tin hat and awaiting incoming.......
It is quite safe to remove your helmut again, at least as far as I'm concerned.....I always read what you have to say with interest, and whilst not necessarily agreeing, I find I do more often than not.
I know what the A19 + R100s sound like, so I'd be surprised if he found the Active solution worked.......but I have been known to get it wrong on occasion.
I don't need to tell you the difference in presentation between the likes of UR/Audio Note/ SF/ Jadis/Icon Audio/Harbeth vs The Active Monitor route.
floyd droid said:
Not entirely, thie issues i describe are real and 'could' cause the issues described by the op. I am not familiar enough with his components to say it is the problem, which is why I phrased the response the way that I did.
Quite right about Howard, floyd. Great but strange guy, that said I have not seen him in something like 30 years.
CnoEvil said:davedotco said:Dons tin hat and awaiting incoming.......
It is quite safe to remove your helmut again, at least as far as I'm concerned.....I always read what you have to say with interest, and whilst not necessarily agreeing, I find I do more often than not.
I know what the A19 + R100s sound like, so I'd be surprised if he found the Active solution worked.......but I have been known to get it wrong on occasion.
I don't need to tell you the difference in presentation between the likes of UR/Audio Note/ SF/ Jadis/Icon Audio/Harbeth vs The Active Monitor route.
As you can see my 'helmut' is staying put, for the moment at least.
I am nowhere near familiar enough with the A19/R100 combination to offer any specific views but the general principle is sound.
The modern trend to 5 or 6 inch two way designs highlights the problem, finding bass units that go high enough and tweeters to go low enough is the real trick, which is one of the reasons the better speakers of this type are not cheap, witness Matt49s Cremona Auditors with expensive ring tweeter.
The other point worth mentioning that what we perchieve as treble frequencies in music are not, usually, that high, certainly way below 10khz, and the distortion content of some dome tweeters, driven to too low a frequency, falls in this range.
Strangely, and for no reason that I can fathom, some amplifiers can make this issue more noticeable (on speakers that are prone to this problem) than others.
davedotco said:CnoEvil said:
Cno, this could be an interesting one.
I know the OP is talking about rolled off high frequencies but we really have no real idea where in the range the problems lie, so this is not a specific answer but a more general one.
I many designs the tweeter is 'rolled off' quite slowly, Epos being a prime example for instance, so it is still outputing significant output well below it's nominal crossover point. At these frequencies the tweeter is no longer linear so much of what it produces is quite heavily distorted and these distortions are heard as higher frequencies, giving the treble a bright, somewhat wearing quality.
This is part of the problems with 2 way designs, getting the tweeter to go low enough to take over from the bass/mid unit before it starts to break up, it is always a tricky call for the designer.
In active designs the crossover slope is often much higher 24db/octave being quite common so that, an octave below the nominal crossover frequency the tweeter is recieving far less signal than it's passive counterpart. Distortion is much reduced as the signal is lower anyway and the tweeter may not be driven as far into it's non linear range, so distortion is reduced still further.
So in this respect, and if tweeter non linearity is the issue, actives are usually superior.
Dons tin hat and awaiting incoming.......
Dave's reply touches on why I find decent actives to actually be quite smooth (I think of smooth as something different to dull). Also, a rolled off treble may have to be very rolled off to make a difference, my Opals had a 'HF Trim' dial which could be used to put a dip in the treble output and used to its fullest could even make them sound a bit dull - the dip was at 5khz and frequencies above this were left untouched, cymbals and such would be cut quite a lot by using the hf trim dial, a speaker that is rolled off above say 15khz might make no difference whatsoever to the op's problem. I sympathise with his issue because I find lots of speakers to be, err, unsmooth, and it leads me to dislike almost everything I hear - not sure if it's a quirk of my hearing or not. The latest version of the Avi adm9rs which I have now is not rolled off but I do find them to be on the smooth side - ie. not harsh or grainy, they'd have been returned in the blink of an eye if they were.
Short of changing all his kit and starting again, the recommendation of an equaliser might be the easiest way of dealing with it. I personally (on the info given) doubt the problem lies with the very top of the frequency range.
Craig M. said:
I agree (it does happen from time to time.
)Smooth does not have to mean undynamic.....in some ways I prefer the word "sweet", for describing treble.
Bright doesn't necessarily mean harsh.
We all have a different baseline (terrible pun) from which we judge sound characteristics......and this effects our tolerance for either too smooth a sound, or too bright a one.....which in turn effects the advice we give on here.......and why there is no "one sound fits all".
I know where you're coming from goat. I remember going round the What Hifi show a couple of years ago walking out of 80% of demo rooms thinking "Ow, that hurts my ears" and it had nothing to do with the volume or rather dubious thrown together playlists from some of the exhibitors either.
Exceptions I found were some Spendors (A6's from memory) beautifully smooth and punchy with little cabinet resonance; Kudos Cardeas and some Neats, although these were more forward than you'd probably like. So it might be worth checking these out.
Arcam stereo amps are known for their warmth generally, so I would tend to point the finger more at the KEFs.
Exceptions I found were some Spendors (A6's from memory) beautifully smooth and punchy with little cabinet resonance; Kudos Cardeas and some Neats, although these were more forward than you'd probably like. So it might be worth checking these out.
Arcam stereo amps are known for their warmth generally, so I would tend to point the finger more at the KEFs.
Macspur
Well-known member
Agree with Spendor, perhaps some SA1's or if you can find some used Harbeth P3 ESR.
Mac
www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net
Mac
www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net
Thank you all for the suggestions, it is all food for thought.
I think it is either going to be a case of a bit of (an expensive) revamp, or, trial and error with some cheaper measures, such as resisters, or an equaliser, perhaps routing the streamer through a quality DAC like the Arcam Irdac etc. Or, just getting used to the sound of what I have!
I’ve always been tempted by Spendors, it’s just that they’re so damned expensive. Couple of questions though – 1. I presume for my current room of 11ft x 9ft, that it is either going to be the SA1 or A5, which would be most suited? 2. Is the Arcam A19 up to the job of getting decent performance out of them at moderate volumes? 3. Is there any significant tonal difference between the A5 and SA1?
I think it is either going to be a case of a bit of (an expensive) revamp, or, trial and error with some cheaper measures, such as resisters, or an equaliser, perhaps routing the streamer through a quality DAC like the Arcam Irdac etc. Or, just getting used to the sound of what I have!
I’ve always been tempted by Spendors, it’s just that they’re so damned expensive. Couple of questions though – 1. I presume for my current room of 11ft x 9ft, that it is either going to be the SA1 or A5, which would be most suited? 2. Is the Arcam A19 up to the job of getting decent performance out of them at moderate volumes? 3. Is there any significant tonal difference between the A5 and SA1?
That's a small room, A5s might be too bassy - I found them to be quite a 'dark' sounding, bass heavy speaker. If you want a floorstander the A6 might be a better fit, they are a more open sounding speaker than their little brother. I haven't heard the SA1. If you're looking at spending that sort of money it might be worth you considering a pair of AVI ADMs, igglebert, who used to post here, had a pair of SA1s before changing to an earlier version of the ADMs (the 9.1T) - the latest 9RS version are a considerable step up on earlier ones and have a very smooth sound. A search on here, or a post over on the AVI forum, might get you his thoughts on the comparison. Obviously the ADMs aren't the best idea if you want to continue to 'tweak' but might be just the job if you're after a great sounding final solution. Good luck, it's s*** when a system doesn't work out for you.
sorry, I won't help you with my post but I'm exactly where you are... just did few hours comparisions two days ago.. Sony mini system with Sony speakers bought for £200 8 years ago next to todays Marantz & Kef's £900.. the trebels are not there on Kef's and the bass much better on Sony's althought much smaler cabinets than Kef's... same songs played. Marantz with internal Dac and Sony via audio cable from Mac ( that means Mac built in Dac) at least I know I've got very good sounding bedroom hi fiGoat said:
I bought Sony after auditioning some mini systems at store ( Denon was prised at that time in WHF and sounded dreadful compared to Sony) I won't buy any hi fi without auditioning anymore... all advices ( sorry guys) are useless. I bought Rotel & Kef's earlier this year based on 'advice' and music nightmare began. For next audition I'll have Sony with me, regardless how silly it will look like in the eyes of a dealer.
Goat said:
Here is something you might try, that could be an idea for the future, if it works. See if you can borrow a Linn Sneaky DS (with Linn Black I/Cs), and compare how that sounds (as a source). If they won't lend it to you, try and put the same system together in the shop. It's quite possible that it will give you what you're looking for.
The Spendor SA1s are one of my favorite small speakers, that have a sound which is little smoother and a touch more refined than the R100s (which have more bass). I personally prefer the SA1s over the A5s, and the Arcam should be able to drive them at moderate volumes.
As always, my advice is to listen for yourself.
Goat said:
Try out Tannoy's Revolution DC4 or DC6, depending on your room size. I felt they left the R100s standing on demo and I know KEF are flavour ot the whatever around here, but the truth of it in my room is that the Tannoys deliver a sound that's way above their price.
Clarity without harshness, bass which is accurate instead of being lumpy (something I'd accuse the R100s of incidentally) and a midrange that's as good as any I've heard. They work best awway from a rear wall (mine are about two feet out), and well positioned. They're not fussy, but five minutes trying them out in different alignments works wonders - this applies to any speaker of course.
Assuming your room isn't massive, you'd be recommended to try them out, if only to later disregard them.
The R100s and R300s can both sound lumpy if the amp doesn't keep good control over them, or they are too close to the wall.....the outer bung greatly helps though.the record spot said:
IME. The R100s are bassier than the Tannoys, which have a slighter cleaner presentation, with a less golden mid-range. I also think the Tannoys are a little fussier with amp matching, as they are more likely to show up bright electronics.
Current room is pretty small (bedroom) - 11ft x 9ft. And it's pretty softly furnished. Used to have the set up in a room twice the size and the bass response was much cleaner in that bigger room. Currently the speakers are about 1.5ft from the back wall and the same from the side walls. Yes, I can use the bungs but the bass has never felt properly integrated with the mids. As previously touched on, it's those tracks, which are mid-range heavy, which delight the most. Synth sounds and strings sound superb. But vocals...ergh...constant irritating sibilance. S and T sounds are so pronounced. Perhaps a side effect of more revealing, crisper speakers, or perhaps a trait of the source (marantz NA7004), but would the source REALLY make that much difference to the edges of S and T sounds?
Again, I am thinking of selling the R100's and taking a sideways step. Do you think the ATC SCM 11's might be a good bet? Firstly the bass should be a lot cleaner with the sealed design and Iv'e also read that the treble is understated if anything. Can get the old ones on ex demo for £600, or of course the new ones for £1200. How the 2013, new model compares though, I don't know as they don't appear to be out yet. Thoughts?
Again, I am thinking of selling the R100's and taking a sideways step. Do you think the ATC SCM 11's might be a good bet? Firstly the bass should be a lot cleaner with the sealed design and Iv'e also read that the treble is understated if anything. Can get the old ones on ex demo for £600, or of course the new ones for £1200. How the 2013, new model compares though, I don't know as they don't appear to be out yet. Thoughts?
manicm
Well-known member
To the OP, if you read WHF's review you'll recall they said the Marantz NA7004 can sound harsh. It may well be that is the culprit, and not your amp/speaker combo.
Before you change the Arcam/Kef, borrow a good CD player and test.
Before you change the Arcam/Kef, borrow a good CD player and test.
CnoEvil said:
I'd used them with the Onkyo TX8050, and then I think they went through a Linn DS player afterwards. Neither made them sound good. I've used the Tannoys with three or four amps now and "fussy" isn't a word I'd use to describe them. Positioning, however is important in as much as they don't do well close to a rear wall. A couple of feet out and they shine.
Bass, as I have mentioned umpteen times, is not an issue in the right room. In mine, where they fire across the width of the room, they are excellent. Neither light nor boomy. Get the balance right - as with any setup really - and they'll work a treat. Which they do, fortunately for me!
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