2. cables
  3. 172720-167068

How to tame a bright system?

Hi all,

I have been facing a problem, the brightness of my system:

Bluesound n130  --- Chord dave ---- audioquest fire (xlr) ---- Etude  ---- copper wire ---- B&W 606s2.

 

The brightness shows up, particularly after I upgrade the cable from the chord company clearway (RCA) to the AQ fire (XLR).  AQ fire really improved everything. However, the high frequency is too cristal to my ears (especially the "ding, ding" sound from the piano, I believe most of the people would love it but not me .... ).  I like the cheap clearway, but it does not have the excellent bass and the dynamic offered by fire. I also tried with AQ Mackenzie (copper) which gives a proper sound but lacks space. I also found the vocal of fire is a bit forward (I am not really big fun of forwarding vocal).

Can someone help to recommend a cable that has everything of clearway but more dynamic and extension at the low end? I think this would be an ideal cable for my current system.

 

If possible, please help to focus on the cable rather than the other components. I know there is a lot to improve, but not at the moment.  Thanks a lot guys!  ;-) 

 

 

 

tension255
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,109 posts
 

If possible, please help to focus on the cable rather than the other components.

Sorry,

IMO, you pairing bright sounding amplifier to bright sounding speakers, my suggestion is save your money on cable and go try some speakers with soft-dome tweeter like Dynaudio...  

Treat the cause, not the symptom!

painter24's avatar
painter24
212 posts
 

Not familiar with your amp, but I auditioned the B&Ws you have and found them headache inducing. I think trying to remedy with cabling is merely damage limitation, and isn't going to solve your problem, especially if you're sensitive to those HFs. Some people love the 606 S2s, and I could see their appeal for some, but would need careful equipment matching. Sorry ☹️

Funnily enough, I did see a YT video the other day by GR Research who supply speaker kits for some brands/models of speakers. They supply a kit for your speakers which are claimed to tame that top end and some other idiosyncrasies of the 606 S2s. From memory, I think the kit was $250. Assuming you're in the States

erik_squires
15,669 posts
 

I think cables are the wrong way to go, but if you must, mid-range Wireworld cables generally are pretty warm sounding.

You may find listening on the woofer axis to be more pleasant, as well as reducing the toe-in.

Finally there is room treatment. Taming the mid/highs will help the bass bloom.

tony1954's avatar
tony1954
891 posts
 

If you can wait until you are in your 60's, the problem will solve itself, otherwise I would look into replacing the speakers.

More to discover