2. amps-preamps
  3. 1160868565

Questions for specialists on “warmth”



I have heard sound from speakers that are more neutral and detailed in texture and focus the presence of all frequencies, sound that captured air resonance and produced a holographic image, but I doubt that’s what warmth is.

It seems to me that “warmth” is manipulated by engineering.
What is the purpose of “warmth”?
Does it actually exists or is it in imagination, or is it given a phony name (resonating warmer air?) in result I couldn’t link what I heard to “warmth”.

Sorry for the many questions below, without evidence of existence of this “warmth”, I get that feeling somebody is telling me the earth is flat whenever they mention “warmth”.

Maybe it is more psychological, is it then related to the release of a certain type of chemical in the body?

I had thought that maybe warmth means organic. If that’s true, is warmth created with possible ways to give the listener organic illusions? If that’s true, can the sound become too warm that it becomes hot; or too organic that it makes the actually sound we hear in our daily lives in comparison cold, is that good for one’s marriage?

What are the differences between warm and cold, can any expert give some generalization of the technical differences that sets them apart? Are the sound manipulated, how?

How can warmth be created from the play back perspective?
Cable
With what material, why
With what construction, why
Digital
Why and what done in digital processing; AD (analogy to digital) and DA
Speaker
Are they then best to be construction with organic material?
trackmango

Showing 5 responses by tvad

tvad
9,467 posts
 
I think it's pretty simple. If measured, a warm system will have a boost in the midrange frequencies and attenuation in the highs.

The result can be achieved in many ways.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Tvd
If warmth is as you had described, would one be able to get warmth out of any speaker with by filtering the signal through a good EQ?
That would be one method, yes.

Does warmth differ in fidelity (between the warmth on a JBL or on a B&W?)
Any difference in sound between these two speakers has to do with their respective frequency response curves.

IMO, fidelity is a subjective term. Define fidelity.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Yes. One could use EQ in lieu of tubes to warm up playback, however, in my limited experience with EQ devices (Audio Control and Behringer), these units affect transparency by reducing ambient cues. If chosen carefully, tubes are more transparent than an EQ device in the signal chain.

Clearly, two speakers can have flat frequency response curves and sound completely different because of the differences in their drivers, crossovers, cabinets (or lack thereof), or any number of other factors.

I'm going to pass on commenting about your definition of fidelity.

I tend to agree with Newbee that this thread will soon be affected by entropy, so I'm going to move on before I get thrown off this carnival ride...
tvad
9,467 posts
 

10-15-06: Mrtennis
tvad, i think your partially correct in your definition of warmth. it is an attenuation of lower treble and upper midrange, with a boost in the lower midrange.

if the entire midrange is elevated, brightness may occur, because emphasizing the upper midrange can be a source of unplesantness.
Mrtennis (Threads | Answers)
Thank you. That indeed was what I intended. My post was imprecise.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Tube amplification offers "soft" clipping, which contributes to a naturalness in amplified sound.

I agree about tubes offering better resolution, transparency, etc.

However, some tubes are less resolving than others, i.e. Brimar 12AU7 versus Amperex 12AU7, and therefore provide a "warmer" sound that is less detailed.

At least this has been my observation in my home.
More to discover