What to do when speakers are bright?

[KrazyMofo24]

Since its going to be a long time before I can buy new speakers right now I have Rti10's. I'm going to do research on room acoustics, but I was just wondering if there is any things I can do to lessen the brightness in terms on room acoustics, speaker placement, or even amps that are better suited.

[steveinaz]

Treat reflective surfaces, and use less toe-in--point them straight ahead if necessary.

What equipment? What's your room like? carpet, tile?

[aaharvel]

turn the treble down.

[VR3]

Get new speakers.

[MattN03]

I turned the treble down on my RTi8's and that seemed to help. I also went from a H/K 635 (90 watts stereo) to a Rotel 985 amp (100 watts) and that seemed to help slightly. (I don't think the power difference is what changed things, but maybe how the amp sends the signal to the speakers?) What I'm really interested in finding out is when I bi-amp the Rotel to the RTi8's. I'm waiting on some I/C's to do this, but will report back how 200 watts affect the sound of the RTi8's.

[KrazyMofo24]

Its in a small room right now...wooden floors and powered by a h/k 335.

[Midnite Mick]

Just wondering but has anyone attempted any crossover mods on the RTi's if they are sounding too bright?

Mike

[aaharvel]

if you're keeping the speakers, then I suggest you buy warm-sounding, tube-like equipment to offset the brightness. Worked for me.

[anonymouse]

That receiver is probably contributing. My RTi10s sound fantastic on a Rotel RB980BX amp. They sounded bright on a Sony ES receiver.

[KrazyMofo24]

Yeah maybe its just an issue of my Rti10's not getting have enough power...I was just wondering if room acoustics could change/help it any.

[Airplay355]

Musical fidelity will kill the brightness big time. But they will most likely sound alot less detailed. The brightness creates the impression of detail. When I hooked up Rti70's to my musical fidelity integrated they sounded pretty bad with music.

[ESavinon]

put a throw rug in front of them a few feet ahead. If they're located near a window,put thick heavy curtains on windows.that should help with high frequency absorbtion a bit.

[Refefer]

If you open the speaker and throw in some sound absorbant directly behind the speaker, sometimes that will also help tame the treble a bit. Sometimes.

And it's cheap and reversable.

[VR3]

The RTi line was bright generation 1..

And its bright generation 5 or 6.

Its their personality...

I recomend you get some calmer speakers...

[marcd51]

Everybody has said allot here but one big thing no one has seemed to mention change your interconnects to a more natural set of cables. Go down to your local dealer and see if they can lend you some cables to try out on your system that are not silver platted of cause.:)

[wallstreet]

what type of music are you listening to? some music is just brighter than others.

[Midnite Mick]

Everybody has said allot here but one big thing no one has seemed to mention change your interconnects to a more natural set of cables. Go down to your local dealer and see if they can lend you some cables to try out on your system that are not silver platted of cause.:)

Great suggestion. Cables can made a large difference. I tried a set of Audioquest AudioTruth Opal X3 that basically came with a used Consonance cd player that I purchased and they really decreased the treble, and some of the edginess when compared to the Apature silvers I use. I don't use the Opals because I have the opposite problem in my system. I need to increase the treble and would also like more resolution.

You anti-cable guys....don't even start!

Mike

[FicmanS]

Couple of throw rugs made all the difference in the world in my room, I'd call it a major difference in my setup...

Wooden floors are great to look at, but a bitch for sound (IMO)...

[halo]

Tube gear and acoustic treatments. My $.02

[madmax]

Tube gear and different interconnects as mentioned above would make a big difference but I'm assuming you don't want to spend a fortune, otherwise you could just buy different speakers. Possibly this would be a good place to try an equalizer?
madmax

[wallstreet]

Great suggestion. Cables can made a large difference. I tried a set of Audioquest AudioTruth Opal X3 that basically came with a used Consonance cd player that I purchased and they really decreased the treble, and some of the edginess when compared to the Apature silvers I use. I don't use the Opals because I have the opposite problem in my system. I need to increase the treble and would also like more resolution.

You anti-cable guys....don't even start!

Mike
If cables make the sound "less bright" aren't they dropping some of the sound?

[danger boy]

If cables make the sound "less bright" aren't they dropping some of the sound?


nope. they help smooth it out... some cables are just to much of a good thing.. i used to use solid silver cables.. extremly bright sounding.. i don't recommend them at all really.

Good well made sounding cables can smooth things out... i replaced all the SL2000 tweeters in my SRS's.. with the RD-0 replacement tweeter.. but it sounded to bright.. let the tweeters burn in for a several weeks.. still to bright.

Played around with different brands of interconnects and in different places within my system. finally went with Cobalt Cable ultimate interconnect and it smoothed out the brightness in the speakers. but where i used that interconnet was crucial. When placed between the CDP and pre amp.. it didn't make any difference. but once i hooked it up between the pre amp and amp.. wham! smoothness was there and the brightness was tamed.

I'm a big believer in finding the right interconnect for the right application. One cable is not correct for every place in your system. ;)

[Midnite Mick]

It really comes down to system synergy. In my system I like the silvers for the reason of adding some of the edge back that is lost with tube gear. Another reason for me is the Vifa tweet in my lsi's probably aren't the greatest match for my tube gear. Therefore, those systems that can be too smooth and lack treble like mine would greatly benefit from silver cables.

Mike

[danger boy]

It really comes down to system synergy. In my system I like the silvers for the reason of adding some of the edge back that is lost with tube gear. Another reason for me is the Vifa tweet in my lsi's probably aren't the greatest match for my tube gear. Therefore, those systems that can be too smooth and lack treble like mine would greatly benefit from silver cables.

Mike


agreed. i'm not saying silver cables are bad by any means. they are very revealing.. and sometimes to bright when used with solid state gear.. or certainly can be to much of a good thing. Price also factors in.. silver cables are more expensive.

I currently use silver tinned cables.. basically copper with a silver coating. not as harsh as pure silver, but still retains alot of the benefits of silver without the brightness.

:p

[marcd51]

Hi I agree with Danger boy, I used to use a cable by a company called QED over here in the UK and they have some of the best cables available and this also goes for there interconnects, but what I do agree with Danger Boy is silver cable can be good on one system very revelling and can be very fast in sound but can become very bright on another. On my system that was to much apparent so I tried another cable company that my local dealer uses called Atlas is the company name and they make all there cables to a high standard but they do not use silver platted cables so this gives a more natural effect which I much prefer , but to my knowledge I do not lose any of the information that I am aware of .

They have also been given very good Wright ups here in the UK on all of the major hi-fi mags .

So that is why I said do not bother changing or even dismantling your speakers or filling them up just try some other cables and this may cure the problem .

If it does not them go out and buy a rug just like the other gentleman did on the other thread .:D