My system sounds bright. Need help!!!

[irvin]

I have Athena audition series speakers with a yahama htr 5960. My system sounds great for movies, but during intense movie action the speakers sound harsh. After a while my ears get irritated. I have been blaming the speakers all this time, but I think the problem is my room. For the last couple of days I have been reading about acoustic treatments and I think this may solve my bright room. I have leather couches, left wall is concrete blocks, nest to my left front speaker is a hardwood door, and lots of wood trimming. I want to know how much of a difference acoustic panels make and where to place them.

 

[Seth=L]

What you described sounds like amplifier clipping. If it was the room it would sound bright at any sound level I would think. The HTR-5960 (RX-V659) doesn't have a huge amplifier but then again the Athenas are quite efficient. If you know someone that has an amplifier or if you have one somewhere try connecting it to the front channels using the preouts on the HTR-5960.

 

[irvin]

No its not the receiver or amp section. I crank it up pretty loud and the speakers sound clean but the sound is harsh bright. I think its my room the sound is bouncing around.

 

[Seth=L]

No its not the receiver or amp section. I crank it up pretty loud and the speakers sound clean but the sound is harsh bright. I think its my room the sound is bouncing around.

At lower volumes does it sound bright?

 

[irvin]

Actually it does. I have the volume at -23db, which is pretty low for my yamaha and I noticed during intense action movies sound bright. The sound is very dynamic but man it gest irritating after a while.

 

[no. 5]

It may be a combination of the speakers your ears and your room; many people don’t, but the models of Athena speakers I have listened to sounded bright to me, your ears may be similar. And your room does sound like it’s a bit “live”, and that would be adding to the brightness too.

 

[Seth=L]

I retract my previous statement concerning amplifier clipping. If listening at normal volumes renders brightness just as well as at higher volumes then the speakers and room acoustics are in need of change. If the sound gets brighter as the volume is increased (disproportionate to volume increase) then there would be clipping issue.

I don't have any knowledge when it comes to room acoustics, I am sure someone with the appropriate knowledge can help you.

 

[Lady Phoenix]

My impression was that acoustic panels keep the room from being too "live", as in reducing any echo-type effect you might have. I'm not sure that I would describe this as bright, but maybe that's what you're talking about? Regardless, your room definitely has a lot of hard surfaces so panels could help soften the sound.

 

[bpape]

A concrete wall and hardwood floors can contribute to a too live situation which can come across as brightness. I'd suggest a throw rug between you and the speakers and some reflection point absorbers on both side walls (you need to keep things pretty well symmetric in front of you.)

Bryan

 

[irvin]

Hey Bryan do I also need to put panels behind my front speakers. I have a very reflective room, there are also two hardwood doors one leads to the bedroom and one to my office. The back wall halfway opens up to the kitchen also. My theater room is not a typical sealed room.

 

[Resident Loser]

Of course...

...have you tried using your tone controls?

Do you have an auto-EQ mode? If so, was it done correctly?

Do the speakers themselves have user-adjustable hi-freq knobs or switches?

Is the perceived "brightness" consistent or program dependent?

It may very well be room/interaction...Have you tried drapes, pillows or other sound absorbing furniture?

Perhaps minor speaker manipulation e.g. toeing them out...

Room acoustics can be a bit of a black art, requiring some hands-on work...while there are certain basic guidelines that can be followed, each situation is usually quite different.

jimHJJ(...just some thoughts...)

 

[Rob Babcock]

I have Athena audition series speakers with a yahama htr 5960. My system sounds great for movies, but during intense movie action the speakers sound harsh. After a while my ears get irritated. I have been blaming the speakers all this time, but I think the problem is my room. For the last couple of days I have been reading about acoustic treatments and I think this may solve my bright room. I have leather couches, left wall is concrete blocks, nest to my left front speaker is a hardwood door, and lots of wood trimming. I want to know how much of a difference acoustic panels make and where to place them.

That's a classic recipe for bright sound! The Athena's are on the 'lively' side as it is, and pairing them with the Yamaha in a very live room will definately sound a bit tipped up. Bpape from GIK can definately offer you more expert advice than I can, but as a general rule placing room treatments in the corners and at first reflection points is a good place to start.

A few companies that sell acoustic treatments at reasonable prices (that can also offer expertise in how to use them):

RealTraps - Ethan drops by AH from time to time.

GIK Acoustics - Nice panels, a bit cheaper than most, too.

Eighth Nerve - I've got a bunch of 8th Nerve stuff and for the size it's pretty amazing; no small treatments should work that well!

ATS Acoustics - It would be hard to even make your own for the price of the panels from ATS! Nice assortment of colors as well.

Treating your room will absolutely make an enormous difference! I have said it before but it bears repeating: acoustic treatments will give you more improvement for the money than any other upgrades you can make, including better speakers. Putting expensive speakers in an untreated room is like using 1/2 a can of Right Guard instead of taking a shower- it might solve the problem but it's not ideal.

 

[bpape]

Irvin.

In a multichannel environment, the front wall should generally be pretty dead. Couple that with the fact that you have a lot of hard surfaces and no way to treat the rear wall/corners since it's the kitchen, and I'd say the front wall is a prime candidate for some treatments. ...and yes, some bass control is also recommended. It's hard to say without more specific info, a drawing, etc.

I will agree that the particular combination of equipment is probably contributing to the issues but we fix what we can. The treatments will help your sound no matter the equipment. Just buying new equipment will still leave the room lively and in need of taming.

Bryan

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Hey Bryan do I also need to put panels behind my front speakers. I have a very reflective room, there are also two hardwood doors one leads to the bedroom and one to my office. The back wall halfway opens up to the kitchen also. My theater room is not a typical sealed room.

Bryan is leading you on the correct path to where you need to be. I was in exactly your shoes not 1-2 years ago, and I'll forever appreciate their guidance.

If you're getting close to making the big step, dont be afraid to pick up the phone and talk to Glen.
Glen is da man!!!

He'll hook you up like you wont believe

Their stuff will work 'audio' wonders on your theater........

Sincerely,
A big fan of GIK