Request advice-need "brighter" speakers than Totem Hawks

Not a component recommendation, but try substituting an IC with extended highs. Your Audience ICs have smooth and laid-back sonics. This is not the fix you are looking for, but with new components, you may get more high frequency detail.

Well don’t fully self diagnose yourself yet!

I had that problem and it turned out to be wax build up so serious it required a technician. I switched to using a lotion soap, and thoroughly washing and rinsing with the shower head which has prevented recurrence.

Point is, make sure you have what you think you have. Talk to a doctor and get examined first.

Best,

Erik

Lowrider: I'll try that idea on the ICs, but not too optimistic. Already attempted a couple variations along those lines, with little result, but I'll dig deeper into my cables (BJC or Better Cables or old vintage Monster seem likely candidates). Stay tuned for a report. 

Erik: Thanks for the insights. After 45+ years of playing percussion, and several visits to the audiologist, my knowledge of my condition is as stated above. When playing, I now religiously use hearing protection (isolating Shure ear buds, currently). I run them thru a multi-output pro headphone amp (presonus) with volume controls for each output. I try to keep the levels reasonable when playing with my combo in-studio, and I use more mundane ear plugs for live gigs. This all helps, but the damage to right side hi freq. is real. 

All: I think much of my issue is reflected by the tension between seeking neutrality in the gear, and needing brighter highs given my story. Put differently, and more usefully, I wanted to avoid listening fatigue, which I get from overly harsh highs, so I overcompensated (a lot) by inappropriately combining gear that ALL boasted "laid-back sonics," per Lowrider's comment on cables. In my case, the Sim Audio, Marantz, Audience, and even the Totem Hawks (though less so) combined to over-soften my highs. The result has been muted highs that are a particularly poor fit to my personal situation. Please comment. 

Other miscellaneous news:
(1) Took the Moon W-5 in for service today. It needed a couple minor fixes anyway. The senior tech was deeply skeptical of the high freq. issue residing in the amp, as I previously noted in an earlier post, though he admitted a messed up capacitor could conceivably play a role. 
(2) Room conditioning fans: I added bass traps to the corner nearest to and opposite the speakers. So far, some minor differences are apparent (better clarity at the low end, but it's pretty subtle). I need to listen more extensively following this tweak. No effect on highs detected so far. I used 72" of cloth covered medium density foam cylinder.  Actually looks ok. 

Thanks to to all for hanging in there with me on this issue. 
-B 

bheiman

Thinking about your situation and taking into account your hearing loss. It seems like so many times when people are looking for a sub woofer, meaning more bass, what they are really missing is a great midrange. I am wondering if you are seeking highs because your midrange isn't moving you emotionally. Perhaps your system isn't engaging. 

I had a pair of Hawks myself and while I found the mids and highs to be commendable it was the bass that I found to be somewhat "rounder" than I appreciate.  Mind you this is in comparison to Thiel CS3.5's which some people regard as being too bright. 

If if you can find a pair of CS2.3 or higher methinks your issue with the Hawks will be remedied. Used, they're bargains of the highest order, too.  Good luck!