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Ears hurt when listening after changing speakers

For years I had multiple models of Maggies and Martin Logan speakers. I could play them very loud with no problems with my ears. A few months ago I purchased the Rockport Aviors and now when I listen at moderate to high levels my ears start to hurt.  Anyone one else experience this when changing speakers and would like thoughts on how to resolve other than turning the volume down.  I do love the Rockport.
128x128lourdes

Showing 4 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
Lourdes,

Whatcha hearing with the new (VTL) amps.   BEtter?
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
FWIW I have found MIT cables good as cables go at taking the edge off the sound if needed, but better to not need to in the first place.

Fro what I've heard at shows, Rockport speakers can be brutally revealing.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
Don’t know anything about a Paavo amp??? but having the option of switching amps, especially to a good quality soft-clipping tube amp, should help troubleshoot at minimum with those speakers I suspect. Those speakers are speced at 4 ohms though so that could make them a somewhat challenging load for many amps.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,835 posts
 
I would observe in general switching from planar or electrostat speakers like Magnepan and ML (very easy on the ear) to large dynamic speakers like Rockport alone is a big difference that one’s ear’s may not be used to and find somewhat fatiguing...definitely much different which may be good or bad depending on the listener.

Not uncommon that a major change in speakers causes a ripple effect leading to changes with gear back upstream to get things right again.

It could be that other tweaks/changes might be needed to get a more relaxed sound out of the new combo. Tone controls might be handy.

Are the tweeters pointing directly at your listening position? If so changing that might help.

If grills are off try putting them on.

Like mentioned above, it could be that the new dynamics are not for your ears in which case either listen at lower volume or maybe consider adding a dynamic range processing device to allow you to go louder without hitting uncomfortable peaks. dbx devices used to accomplish this, there are probably good quality digital processors available today that can do it much better.

Power conditioning might help and would be worth a try if not in place currently I would say.

Are your wires shielded? That is a good safeguard to avoid possibly picking up noise that adds to fatigue.

Just some ideas....

Also possible your ears will just adjust.... give it some time before doing anything drastic.














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