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advice on brightness

i just set up my first system and although the excitement hasn't worn off, i have become aware of a pronounced brightness and sibilance in the sound.

my set-up is very modest and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

-Audio Refinement Complete integrated

-Harmon Kardon dvd25 (not the best for CDs, but it does have a good DAC: Wolfson XWM8740 Delta Sigma 24-bit/192kHz, same one in Arcam CD82)

-Athena AS-B1 bookshelf speakers

-AudioQuest Type 4 speaker cables (terminated with bananas)

-Straigh Wire Symphony II interconnects

i'm hoping i can resolve the brightness with different interconnects. my budget is around $150.

thanks!

~derek
mrdereklee
newbee
4,093 posts
 
I agree with paulwp except for one issue, that is toe in. One of the ways of reducing side wall reflections is by EXTREME toe in. Try pointing the axis of the speakers inward well past the the listening position, say 45 degrees from straight ahead and see if that makes any difference in the peak, then bring them back towards the listening position til just before the peak become evident again. You may find that this will focus your center image and expand the listening position as well. Good luck.
jsawhitlock
302 posts
 
Dont try to fix your system with wires, first of all you may want to look at some different speakers, then some nice speaker wire. Next start to work on front end and try to wire intire system with same brand wire as much as possible! If your room is bright you may want to address this area also. I think the speakers are the problem. What ever you do dont try to fix system with wires, as you'll never get there! Hope this helps!
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Inexpensive wires can easily cause HF sibilance, particularly silver wires. In order to eliminate this, you will need continuous cast copper or silver or what I call "Perfect Crystal" wires. There are no cables except maybe some Harmonic Tech that are like this and also in your price range. I would recommend looking for used cables.
maggieowner
44 posts
 
Sticking with the same brand of interconnects, Straightwire Rhapsody II intercoonect is a warm, fully bodied cable. This should tame your HF problem.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Phoenix Gold uses continuous cast, single crystal copper--if I'm not mistaken--and it's very reasonably priced...
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