Back in the 70's, it was common for speakers to have adjustable tweeter attenuators built in. This fell out of favor when audiophile practices moved toward reducing components in the signal path. Some speakers may be designed "hot" to entice buyers, but generally not at the higher quality ranges. I feel that any "heat" you are getting in the treble, is generated by your digital front end, even though it is a good one. This is the most common complaint there is about digital. So by simply cutting the high end, you are hearing less of the digital "nasties". This may not be a popular opinion, but there is evidence of it all over this website, especially on the cable forum, where there is always mention of smoothing the high end of digital-sourced systems. I say, if it gets you to enjoy the music more, then go for it. The people who are buying to "smoother" cables are doing the same thing, but using a different item to do it.
Smooth, "Film Like" Treble: Happiness At Last...
While fiddling with my television and LCD projector, I had a new insight into the interconnectedness of high fidelity audio and home theatre.
According to my video test DVD and literature, most TVs -- even really good ones -- are set way too "hot" at the factory in order to stand out on a display of fifty TVs at Circuit City or something.
Adjusting my TV and projector according to the test disc results in a strangely dull picture at first which makes you wonder if the calibration material is accurate.
"Sharpness" in particular, ends up all the way down, at its LOWEST setting in contrast to my normal temptation to have it almost near it HIGHEST setting.
According to the literature, what we initially perceive as sharpness is actually distortion and turning it down results in a smoother, more film like image.
Over time, it does indeed look much better.
The relation to audio occured to me when installing two custom made tweeter attenuators for my Magneplanar Tympani ribbons. The reduction of 6 db initially seemed a bit dull, but after a short period of time, my ears seem to have adjusted and I love it!!
No more fatigue, no more brightness, bad recordings are easier to listen to, everything just sounds more natural and more musical. Perhaps the impression of slightly less "resolution" but still with wonderful detail -- just sounds better.
Could even high end manufacturers -- like Bose ?!?!? -- tweak their gear to grab your attention in a high fi store demo in ways that impede long term satisfaction at home?
Has anyone else thought about this?
According to my video test DVD and literature, most TVs -- even really good ones -- are set way too "hot" at the factory in order to stand out on a display of fifty TVs at Circuit City or something.
Adjusting my TV and projector according to the test disc results in a strangely dull picture at first which makes you wonder if the calibration material is accurate.
"Sharpness" in particular, ends up all the way down, at its LOWEST setting in contrast to my normal temptation to have it almost near it HIGHEST setting.
According to the literature, what we initially perceive as sharpness is actually distortion and turning it down results in a smoother, more film like image.
Over time, it does indeed look much better.
The relation to audio occured to me when installing two custom made tweeter attenuators for my Magneplanar Tympani ribbons. The reduction of 6 db initially seemed a bit dull, but after a short period of time, my ears seem to have adjusted and I love it!!
No more fatigue, no more brightness, bad recordings are easier to listen to, everything just sounds more natural and more musical. Perhaps the impression of slightly less "resolution" but still with wonderful detail -- just sounds better.
Could even high end manufacturers -- like Bose ?!?!? -- tweak their gear to grab your attention in a high fi store demo in ways that impede long term satisfaction at home?
Has anyone else thought about this?