frustration with new setup

[majac777]

Hello,
I have had for 3 weeks now, new Axiom M80 v2 speakers and am using a new Onkyo TX SR805 AV receiver as well as MartinLogan Dynamo 10 subwoofer. Sound is definitely powerful; but music in the higher registers whether it be brass, strings, tubular bells (used in Ponchielli’s Dance of Hours) often has this audible “fuzz” (I don’t know how else to describe it). It's not loud or overpowering--just enough to make me aware of it.

I have a sensitive ear, having tuned pianos years back, and having studied piano and cello at Peabody Conservatory of Music in the ‘70s.

I’m not sure whether most people can hear this “fuzz”. What bothers me is that music playing in the higher registers sound rather “average”; definitely not “crystal clear” as I read in some of the reviews of the M80s.

I have to decide whether I’m going to send them back to Axiom this week or not.

Any input you may offer is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Majac777

 

[Davemcc]

What playback device are you using. This sound might be generated at the source, or could even have been recorded into the music.

If you think it's definitely the speakers and you can still return them, do it and keep searching for a speaker that meets your standards.

 

[majac777]

What playback device are you using. This sound might be generated at the source, or could even have been recorded into the music.

Several sources:
1) Music channels from Brighthouse Networks (cable service)
2) Standards CDs (Harmon Kardon CD player connected to AVR via digital audio cable).
3) HD-DVD movies (Lord of the Rings; King Kong, etc.)

I think I'll go up to town today and buy a couple of Audio-DVDs, hopefully in order to further test the source as the culprit.

Thanks for your response!

Regards, Majac777

 

[mtrycrafts]

What playback device are you using. This sound might be generated at the source, or could even have been recorded into the music.

Several sources:
1) Music channels from Brighthouse Networks (cable service)
2) Standards CDs (Harmon Kardon CD player connected to AVR via digital audio cable).
3) HD-DVD movies (Lord of the Rings; King Kong, etc.)

I think I'll go up to town today and buy a couple of Audio-DVDs, hopefully in order to further test the source as the culprit.

Thanks for your response!

Regards, Majac777

If your CDs are known to be of good quality recording, no compression, it might be indeed the speakers you are not happy with. You may want to, if you can, take those Cds to an audio store with other speakers and see how it sounds.
Is it possible your room has an acoustic problem?

 

[Seth=L]

Amplifier or preamp noise is likely as well. So the issue may be the receiver. Many receivers/amplifiers/preamps introduce noise to the signal. The more sensitive speakers will magnify this "hiss".

 

[jostenmeat]

majac, PM sent.

 

[mike c]

don't you have another pair of speakers to test? that sure could eliminate if the other equipment or room is at fault.