Parametric eq fix my speakers?

[BrianC]

So I have a Yamaha 673 receiver, being used as a pre/ pro. My PSB towers dip badly in response to the 1-5k range. Should manually boosting these frequencies through the peq solve this? Or are these peq's not high quality enough to improve speaker "imperfections" (to my ears)?

Yes, I have run the Yamaha ypao setup mic...

Thanks

 

[3db]

So I have a Yamaha 673 receiver, being used as a pre/ pro. My PSB towers dip badly in response to the 1-5k range. Should manually boosting these frequencies through the peq solve this? Or are these peq's not high quality enough to improve speaker "imperfections" (to my ears)?

Yes, I have run the Yamaha ypao setup mic...

Thanks

Try it and find out. You can always reset the receiver back to default values. What model are they?

 

[BrianC]

Psb gt-1's and psb gc-1

 

[Swerd]

So I have a Yamaha 673 receiver, being used as a pre/ pro. My PSB towers dip badly in response to the 1-5k range. Should manually boosting these frequencies through the peq solve this? Or are these peq's not high quality enough to improve speaker "imperfections" (to my ears)?

Boosting response with any equalizer, whether its an old analog eq or a modern digital peq, should not be done. If boost is applied over a wide enough range, such as 1-5 kHz, it can result in an unwanted ragged frequency response known as comb filtering. Also, the amp section in your receiver has only so much power to give, and boosting a range of the audio frequency can severely limit the power headroom of your amp. These are reasons why stand-alone equalizers have largely disappeared. People tried to use them as volume controls, with poor results.

Equalizers can solve problems by decreasing the response in a narrow range of frequencies. In your case, that would mean decreasing the response of your speakers below 1 kHz and above 5 kHz until they are similar to the response level of the mid range dip. Because that is such a wide range, that also might not produce the desired result. It might correct the dip, but it would also "suck the life" out of your speakers.

In general, equalizers can help decrease peaks caused by room reflections at frequencies around 250 Hz and lower, by suppressing a narrow range of offending resonant frequencies. This is done by decreasing and not by increasing response. But above that bass range, equalizers probably will not solve your speakers' imperfections.

I suspect that different speakers might be a much better way to improve sound.

 

[Swerd]

In your case, that would mean decreasing the response of your speakers below 1 kHz and above 5 kHz until they are similar to the response level of the mid range dip.

A quick and dirty way you can try this would be to use the tone controls on your receiver. Decrease the bass (centered around 100 Hz?) and treble (centered around 10 kHz?), and then increase the volume. Of course, the devil is in the details, and this may not get all the details right, but it might tell you if this approach is at all doable.

 

[3db]

A quick and dirty way you can try this would be to use the tone controls on your receiver. Decrease the bass (centered around 100 Hz?) and treble (centered around 10 kHz?), and then increase the volume. Of course, the devil is in the details, and this may not get all the details right, but it might tell you if this approach is at all doable.

I thought that PEQ with variable width and amplitude adjustment would work in his case without taxing the receiver.

 

[3db]

Another suggesttion is to try and adjust the speaker location, pull them away from the walls and corners and more into the room to decrease bass reinforcement. That would be my first step.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Another suggesttion is to try and adjust the speaker location, pull them away from the walls and corners and more into the room to decrease bass reinforcement. That would be my first step.

This is the right idea, IMO. The challenge I often run across is that many people don't have the flexibility to do this, especially in HT systems, for practical reasons or simply spouse factors.

 

[Swerd]

Another suggesttion is to try and adjust the speaker location, pull them away from the walls and corners and more into the room to decrease bass reinforcement. That would be my first step.

I hadn't thought of that, but now that you mentioned it, I agree.

I thought that PEQ with variable width and amplitude adjustment would work in his case without taxing the receiver.

I suggested using the tone controls because I had assumed the OP hasn't yet obtained a PEQ. If he already has one, he might as well go ahead and try using it to lower responses outside the frequencies with the unwanted dip.

 

[BrianC]

You're right about my limitations in adjusting the speaker location. Although I have tried it, but achieved little improvement. The speakers are being pushed by a Hafler xl280, so the Yamaha is really not being pushed any harder (I think), as its only job is processing sound.

I tweaked the Yamaha internal peq and got a little improvement, but still not in love with the sound quality. I think I need to try new speakers. I really want to try a brighter sound, and am considering Ascend Sierra or CMT 340, or Klipsch bookshelves. I'm also intrigued by the Pioneer bookshelves that get such good reviews (at ridiculous price), and it sounds like they're dropping a new line engineered by the same guy, soon. Any thoughts on that?

 

[JohnnieB]

As good as the Pioneers are for the money, IMO they cant hold a candle to the Ascends. Klipsch, again IMO, will definitely be a brighter speaker, the loaded horn is a bit more forward sounding than most. Klipsch can be found in about any best buy, assuming your location has one. To get a feel for the Ascends, I recommend you go on their forum and see if anyone in your area, who owns them, would be willing to give you a demo.
Also, I think I read that pioneer was possibly getting bought out? Don't quote me on that.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Does the midrange sound unclear or compressed or lifeless or what?

 

[3db]

You're right about my limitations in adjusting the speaker location. Although I have tried it, but achieved little improvement. The speakers are being pushed by a Hafler xl280, so the Yamaha is really not being pushed any harder (I think), as its only job is processing sound.

I tweaked the Yamaha internal peq and got a little improvement, but still not in love with the sound quality. I think I need to try new speakers. I really want to try a brighter sound, and am considering Ascend Sierra or CMT 340, or Klipsch bookshelves. I'm also intrigued by the Pioneer bookshelves that get such good reviews (at ridiculous price), and it sounds like they're dropping a new line engineered by the same guy, soon. Any thoughts on that?

Have you tried pulling the speakers away from the walls more into the room?

 

[BrianC]

Yes, tried pulling speakers out, even used it as motivation to move my whole family room around (although I didn't mention my true motive to the better half), to no great avail.

These just sound lifeless to me. Sound is good, not great. Lacking in bass, boring kids, decent highs. I enjoy HT to above average satisfaction, but musically, very uninspiring.

 

[Swerd]

Yes, tried pulling speakers out, even used it as motivation to move my whole family room around (although I didn't mention my true motive to the better half), to no great avail.

These just sound lifeless to me. Sound is good, not great. Lacking in bass, boring kids, decent highs. I enjoy HT to above average satisfaction, but musically, very uninspiring.

You've ruled out most everything other than the speakers themselves – speaker location, equalization (at least what correction Yamaha provides with its room eq system), and you have a powerful enough amplifier.

It's time to start listening to other speakers. Don't rush. It may take some time before you know what you like. Then again, because you have been listening critically to your present speakers, you may find what you like quickly.

The Ascends you mentioned have a fairly flat frequency response. That may sound brighter than what you now have, but I prefer to think of them as neutral speakers.

Klipsch speakers (there are too many models for me to know them well) can provide another step up in brightness. Many don't like their sound, including me, but I'm not buying speakers, you are. The Klipsch speakers I've heard in the past all tended to have a megaphone-like tinny sound. Other people seem to like them. So find out what you like.

I had earlier mentioned the Philharmonitor or the Salk SongSurround I. They are similar in price and sound quality to the Ascend Sierra 1.

It might also be worthwhile to mention where you are located. People at AH often do offer auditions to people here who ask. I'm in Maryland, near Washington.

Good luck with your search.

 

[BrianC]

I have very limited experience with Klipsch, and am interested to hear what all the fuss is about. That said, most the fuss from more experienced audiophiles seems to be negative. Still, I want to see, especially with the ease of snagging some at the big box nearby.

Now, how to unload my psb's!