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Help me clarify, is there a difference between 'forward' and 'bright'?

Previously I posted about my Acoustic Energy AE500s that had a loose connection, now all taken care of and sounding fabulous. I was, at one point, considering selling due purely to sudden financial surprises, but as of now hope to keep enjoying and keep them. Purveying a few reviews out of curiosity, I read some that note a slight ’forward’ quality, others elsewhere observe a ’warm and musical’ presentation. (Funny how different reviewers can hear opposing sonic qualities). Others heard a touch of brightness due to extended high frequencies. Got me thinking where is the line between ’bright’ and ’forward’? aren’t splashy 1980s JBL L100s both forward, as in immediate in the presence range, but also ’hot’ or bright with snare and cymbals? Are there forward speakers that are rather warm or rolled off? Just trying to understand a bit better. Anyone care to opine?

sifter
jaulbrich's avatar
jaulbrich
39 posts
 

I think it is  more fun to distinguish between the difference of forward and bright with and audiophile than with their equipment:-)  I know many audiophiles who are forward, but not very bright:-)  Think of all of the possibilities:-)

 

mapman's avatar
mapman
23,597 posts
 

Easy one.
 

Forward infers more midrange. 
 

Bright infers more treble/higher frequencies. 

4afsanakhan
147 posts
 

For me, excessive ‘brightness’ is distortion in high frequencies or excessive high frequency etching / ringing. Akin to torch mode or ‘vivid’ on TV picture. It is not pleasant for listening in my opinion. I don’t think brightness has anything to do with dynamics or sparkle / effervescence in the sound.

Don’t really get how ‘forwardness’ would be a bad thing, unless it is a result of frequency imbalance. I want a soundstage that projects well forward of the speaker drivers and even around and behind me, if it is there of course. I also want a soundstage that extends well back from the speaker plain. Then again, i am less of an analytical listener and really like emotional engagement in my listening.

niodari's avatar
niodari
378 posts
 

To me brightness yields artificial unnatural typically, an excess in mid high frequencies, a kind of metallic sound. Forwardness not necessarily yields unnatural sound reproduction. I think it much depends on how the recording was made, the acoustics in your room and what kind of speakers you have. Forwardness is not a negative feature of sound reproduction to me.

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