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Digital Music sounds too bright?

If you feel your digital sound is too bright - I suggest you place a lightweight blanket over your tv screen or computer screen, if you have it placed between your main speakers. I did this and immediately heard a less edgy sound and improved separation between left and right channels.  I have a 55 inch screen between my mains (Tyler Acoustics). This easy and free tweak made a noticeable improvement for me. Hope it will for you too. 

(It makes complete sense that this will reduce some reflected sound. No one would ever recommend placing a mirror or window between main speakers, but a screen has the same effect. If you have a coffee table in front of you when listening, it also could reflect sound that undermines your speakers. Try covering it or moving it away). 
philtangerine
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
TV (reflective glass surface) behind/between speakers kills soundstage and imaging unless your speakers are built into wall cabinets in which case there is no soundstage or imaging to kill.

Dave
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Just be aware that most speakers radiate only forwards above about 300Hz. So what is between and behind speakers will be third or fourth reflection points in most cases. Side walls, ceiling and floor in front of speakers and between speakers and the listener will be primary reflection points. I prefer most a live front end and a damped setup behind the listener. Zero reflection points within 3 feet of the speaker mid and tweeter drivers.
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
There is much more to recreating a musical event than frequency response.

Dave
marqmike
838 posts
 
I have used the method the OP has. The reason for me was to get a better replication of the venue the event was recorded in, better sound staging. And it worked nicely. I found a thicker blanket worked better for me.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

The blanket is not great.  Absorbing things between the speakers is not a good thing.  Better to have scattering.

Instead, I use two 1/4 round tube traps from ASC in Oregon.  I locate these next to the screen with the rounds pointing inwards.  The screen simply dissappears acoustically because the backwave from the speakers is scattered.  I've been doing this at shows too , even when there is no screen, locating them behind and inside the speaker lines.  Improves imaging.

Another critical thing is to have absorbers, like acoustic foam, on the side walls to absorb the secondary HF reflection.  Put a mirror on the wall and if you see the tweeter from the listening position, you need foam where the mirror is.


Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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