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 2 responses by nkonor

I am considering Rockport Atria IIs. I am having a similar problem. My system is posted. 

I was a Spectral / Avalon guy until recently. For 20 years with Spectral, this November my Avalons will be 14 years old. In 2016, I switched to Pass Lab. I had a problem with the Avalons becoming bright and edgy, Additional room treatment tamed everything.

This will be my final system. Since 2016, I switched from Spectral to Pass Lab. Bought (2) new TTs,arms, cartridges. Kept the MIT cables. 

Went to an Ear Specialist on Monday 8/26/19. He also happens to be a 'phile. My ears were not very dirty, but he cleaned what little was there. Skin infection of ny ears and in canal. Also prescribed oily ear drops with steriods.  Set me up for a hearing test on 9/11/19. He said that he wanted me to like him as much as I like my foot doctor and that he was going to help.

During the last 4-5 months. I have been auditioning speakers. Rockport Atria Is,  Wilson, Sabrinas, Y'vettes, Sasha 2s,  Paradigm (don't remember) Focal Sopra 2&3s. The Rockport dealer, has given me a 3 week home audition and did initial setup and came back 5 or 6 days latter to tame brightness / edgyness that I was unhappy with. Moved them about 5" back and 2" closer together, with almost no toe-in. Much Better. 

Today is day 5, of the ear drops. My ears have stopped itching and hearing is a bit better Still have my Avalons and they sound better too.

Was diagnosed with MS in Sept 2016  Thought that music would be the last thing that the disease would allow me to enjoy. It has taken so many other things already. Hope my hearing is not another one.                      
                
Update: Today is day 7 of using steriod ear drops, Itching has completely stopped and Hearing is significantly improved ! I am so grateful that the one last enjoyment in life is not being taken from me. For those with hearing problems, I suggest finding an Ear Specialist. Your primary care or others are not Ear Specialist. Worth finding a good one.

Thanks @ erik_squires, @mapman and @lourdes for the thoughts. erik, as you, I have long been a proponent of room treatment and use ASC tube traps, GIK, Auralex, and Vicoustic diffusers. Question for erik, I have treated all four walls and corners. I am thinking that the Vicoustic multifusers on the ceiling might be the final tweak needed. Any thoughts?  mapman, the Rockport dealer did check the adjustments on the MIT Oracle cables and turned down the articulation on the network boxes and that did help. Any other thoughts are appreciated on other cable changes ?

Since this will be my final system, I am doing an all out assault. When I switched from Spectral to Pass Lab, I had the Spectral 30SV for 1 week of absolute amazing preamp and sound before mayhem jumped into the mix. My mind will not let go of the Spectral 30SV linestage. I think that I would like to try it with the Pass XA 160.8s that I now have. Any of you technical guys see any issues with pairing the Spectral pre with the Pass amps ?

Appreciate everyones thoughts and help.

Best to All on this Journey