WHF Team: System Matching..Please help

[admin_exported]

Hi. Just wondering about system matching. A review saying that one must be careful in partnering speakers with bright electronics. What does it mean? Can you please give examples of amplifiers/receivers that sound bright. Cheers

 

[Simon Lucas]

You'd only need to beware of bright-sounding electronics if your speakers tend to be very crisp and attacking in the upper frequencies. If you've got speakers that are very confident in the treble, partnering them with an equally 'bright' amplifier can compound this trait and leave you with high frequencies that can be too forward, thin or splashy.
The Pioneer A-A6 amplifier is a good example of a bright-ish amplifier. It's a great product (5 stars in March this year) but it's absolutely as forthright in the treble as it wants to be. We'd suggest that the matching PD-D6-J CD player (also 5 stars) isn't the greatest partner for the amp, as there's a ramping up of the high frequencies until they become a trifle wearying. If these two were allied to speakers that shared a similar voice, you could end up with the sonic equivalent of a cheesegrater.
If you've found a component you're keen on, whether electronics or speakers, try to use it to audition potential partners. Suddenly, you're system-matching.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Simon for the explanation. One last question please.....Is the Onkyo tx-sr606 considered bright sounding?

 

[Simon Lucas]

It's on the bright side of neutral, that's for sure - but I wouldn't characterise it as a bright amp. Perhaps if your source (DVD player or whatever) was bright-sounding, and your speakers too, then the Onkyo wouldn't do anything to help the situation. Listen to the Onk against a Denon AVR-1909 - the differences at the top end are pretty obvious.

 

[Anonymous]

liujol:Thanks Simon for the explanation. One last question please.....Is the Onkyo tx-sr606 considered bright sounding?

Yes, so use speakers with smooth treble and avoid brighter speakers such as the Monitor Audio Radius HD range.ÿ