Good Bookshelf Speakers for a Hearing Loss?


I have a hearing loss where I have less ability to hear high frequency sounds. But my hearing also lacks the normal filtering ability that allows one with good hearing to screen out the harsh or sharp sounds. I find this especially true in jazz. I find many speakers that have precise highs, e.g. B&W 685, too sharp for me after a few minutes of listening. I note on many forums (not Audiogon) that some posters complain about harsh or bright speakers that are really pretty good speakers. While my hifi vocabulary may not be accurate, this perhaps partly explains why some people like speakers that are not precise, defined or neutral and instead like "warm" speakers. So I suppose I am looking for a warm speaker. Any suggestions for new or used bookshelf speakers under $1200? 70% music, 30% HT. Thanks!
lalo23
For what its worth my experience up until recently has been that most non fatiguing speakers have sounded rather "constipated". That is until I tried a pair of ATC SCM 12's. How they manage to be warmish and non fatiguing yet still offer up so much detail and micro dynamics is beyond me. They do like quality amps (may be not as much power as some say they do, I am using a 100 Watt McCormack amp in a 13 by 12 room and have plenty of power). I also like Dynaudio's but felt the focus 140 tweeter was not as delicately layered as the one on the older contour line or the recently discontinued audience line. Good luck.
Lalo23,
I hope this input is somewhat relevant.
I have a pair of Quad 11L Active speakers and a Quad Lite sub, all run directly from a cd player/DAC with volume control. This system is very close to perfect for me - extremely dynamic and essentially full range.
Here is what you might find interesting; the one problem I have with the speakers is that there is a hump in the frequence response curve between 4K and 10K. Yesterday I actually drug the speakers outside to take one more reading with my sound level meter to confirm my indoor near-field measurements. This frequency hump makes the speakers seem very revealing and pushes vocals or lead instuments forward in the mix. Above 10K, the tweeter sounds quite nice (for comparison, I find B&W 685 and 686 tizzy and metallic up top).
The point is, I have often thought that these speakers would be perfect for someone with hearing loss. In fact my father (who has high frequency hearing loss) came over the other day and said it sounded like live music.
The company specs and magazines indicate that these speakers measure pretty flat, but my pair has definitely got this anomaly.
Regard,
Charlie

This is ALL very helpful. On the Spendors, will there be any difference between the Classic line (e.g. S 3/5s) and the SA1s regarding the accentuated high frequency sounds?

Any experience or feedback regarding Era Design 4/5 speakers? I believe they have soft dome tweeters.

Also, most of the Quads on Audiogon are active and have amps. Are they compatible and effective when driven from a regular receiver?
Another vote for von schweikert. Try the vr1. You can get them here for about 500 or so and you will love the smooth and well integrated midrange. Might try something other than denon as it can be a bit bright. Have fun!
I would second the advice to change amp. I've recently moved from an Onkyo to an Arcam and found a noticeable positive difference in the harshness of sound with the same speakers. I seem to get all the detail without the harshness.

John