So Much "Harshness"

i think some people prefer a bright sound. just consider all of the current production componsnts and speakers.

manufacturer's design for the maximum resolution. unfortunately many components have imbalances in frequency response.

if you consider that 20 + years ago, harshness was not a problem, evn though the ac and the room may have been a problem, the obvious reason for the current complaints is the pursuit of resolution and the components available to satisfy that demand.

hi newbee:

you are dead wrong. from 1966 to 1973 i had an analog stereo system consisting of the following components:

sracked quad esls
quad 15 watt monos
mcintosh c22
thorens 124 t/t, ortofon arm and cartridge

i listened to plenty of music. you are presumptuous to tell me what i did during the 60's, 70's 80's. you have no clue.

the complaints of harshness are probably greater during the last 10 years than during the years, 1960's through the 1980's.

ignorance and poor choice of components is not the reason for complaints of harshness. people are more educated now than they were 30 years ago. the problem is the componets in production available today, compared to what was available during the 60's, and 70's.

i believe the 60's and 70's , with a preponderance of tube amps and preamps were characterized by wwhat would be considered subtraction in the treble and a bump in the bass--hardly a recipe for harshness. today, many components are peaky in the treble.

here's a definition of harshness:

an unbalanced frequency response having a peak of say 3 + db in the range 1000 to 3000 hz.

here's another definition:

an overly focused presentation that is so resolved as to be unforgiving of all but the best recordings.

the first definition is precise, while the second is subjective.

i hope this helps.

hi tvad:

not all distortion is unpleasant, especially if it emphasizes frequencies in the upper bass area. you are right to consider distortion, such as phase distortion as a factor in the experience of harshness.

the term "analytical" could be applied to a presentation that is balanced in frequency response but is "over articulated". in such a case, the upper mids and lower treble could be perceived as harsh.

i would term "analytical" as overly focused, like looking at a finger under a high powered microscope.

perhaps there is another way of describing analytical. in any case, its experience is unpleasant and harsh.