So Much "Harshness"

At the risk of sounding like Mr T, when we are referring to harshness, what assumptions are we working on, i.e. the extent of the complaints that folks are making about the degree of the complainers experience of harshness?

For example, in my responses I assumed a gross complaint, one that was a harshness readily apparent and objectionable on casual listening by an average neophyte, as opposed to a minimal harshness (aka edge) observed after careful listening by an experienced audiophile with good listening skills. These are two different things, are they not?

Tvad, for example, or Learsfool, are positioned to benefit from all levels of real improvement to their systems, but would a possessor of very modest equipment, and listening skills, benefit substantially from using, universally, things the same things?

I'm referring to fundamental improvements. When many folks complain, for example, that his new speakers sound 'harsh' to him, folks don't seem to often ask how the 'harshness' presents itself and to what degree. We simply tell him to buy some 'warm' wires, buy some tubes, ad infinitum, ad naseum.

Am I off base in this observation?

Harshness is a very general term. It is also a very common problem. It can result from lots of things as has been pointed out.

So the devil IS surely in the details when it comes to curing harshness. There is no single universal cause or antidote.

When many folks complain, for example, that his new speakers sound 'harsh' to him, folks don't seem to often ask how the 'harshness' presents itself and to what degree.
Newbee (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers)

A valid point. When it comes to audio, the term "harsh" can have many definitions, and can relate to many aspects of a system's characteristics and its individual elements.

However, it basically comes down to unpleasantness as a result of distortion of some kind.

here's a definition of harshness:

an unbalanced frequency response having a peak of say 3 + db in the range 1000 to 3000 hz.

here's another definition:

an overly focused presentation that is so resolved as to be unforgiving of all but the best recordings.

the first definition is precise, while the second is subjective.

i hope this helps.

MrT, the first definition could be one that causes people to perceive harshness.

The second is not, IMO.

There are more definitions of harshness that could apply depending on each listener's perceptions. For example, you have not touched on distortion, which in itself comes in many forms.