I used to own a pair of DeVore Gibbon 8 speakers. I never felt they were bright or fatiguing but they were quite lean in the bass. I had to get them close to the wall behind them and that did help a little. I was using an all tube preamp (Audible Illusions Modulus 3A) and a 175wpc Classe' 15 amplifier. I ended up trying a pair of subwoofers with the speakers and eventually tired of it and sold the speakers and subs. I would try getting them a little closer to the wall and perhaps even try close to a corner. It may thicken up the bass enough to get rid of the leanness you describe. I also found toe in was more critical with the Gibbon8. Not sure how that would relate to the 88.
Vocals and upper midrange too forward?
Hey all - I just have a question regarding my new speakers. I would say I am an audiophile apprentice. I just got new speakers in the system and likely they have a more sophisticated sound with tighter bass and likely more detail but I think that the upper midrange (my words but it seems to be noticeable with male vocals and some guitar etc) is too forward. Current system uses Prima Luna Dialog HP Integrated and went from Totem Sttaf to Devore Fidelity Gibbon 88. I notice it both with analog and CD sources. At first the sound was more "advanced" with the Devore speakers and I was hearing things in the vocals with bands like the Allman Brothers that I had not heard before. As time goes on, I am starting to think it may border on the fatiguing. The Sttaf with the silk dome tweeter may be more to my liking though would be a trade off with more cabinet resonance I think with the Sttaf. Not sure if there is any fix but am I missing anything? Anyone have similar experience? All parts of the system are broken in I believe (I bought the Devore speakers used). There actually may have been an improvement in the sound with the Devore speakers before the spikes were added as they were being shipped and I could not wait. But now I have the spikes in place and positioned well I think. Thanks in advance.