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Muffled vocals

I have positioned my speakers every way imaginable and I just can't get the vocals the way I want. They're centered, but they seem like they're in the background.  I want them more up front.  I've tried various toeing methods and room treatment but they still seem a little muffled.  My equipment: Lyngdorf TDAI-2200 integrated, Marantz CD6006, Tyler Acoustics D-20, Anti-Cables, Audioquest digital cable.  I know the recording can have a lot to do with it, but Steely Dan's Aja is known for the recording quality and Donald Fagen is in the back.  My terminology no doubt betrays my lack of sophistication when it come to audio, but I know something's not right.  Any suggestions?
cal91
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Try the close listening test. 

Walk up to your speakers and listen 1' away. Are the voices in better proportion? 

If so, your problem is room acoustics. If not, electronics and speakers. 

Best,

E
cal91 OP
7 posts
 
I haven't figured out how to respond individually so I'll do a group response.  akg-ca: I know the Marantz is the weakest link and that's my next upgrade.  Thanks.  Elizabeth: I mostly listen to classical, jazz, and blues.  I can listen to Mozart operas, but it's not my favorite music.  My equipment is certainly no match for yours, but I still believe it should be doing better than it is.  Thanks for the insult (just kidding).  erik-squires: I tried your suggestion and couldn't discern a difference.  Thanks
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
2,651 posts
 
cal91
Try tilting the speakers up a little. It worked for me once when I was having this problem years ago.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
It sounds like something is out of phase. Reverse the leads on one speaker and see if that helps!
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Cal91. Do you own earphones? How are the vocals via phones?  I know before the 20.7s the only good way for me to really hear vocals in Rock records was to use earphones!  Jazz was usually fine through my 3.6 Maggies But Rock lyrics just were hard to understand. One way to improve clarity is with some sort of powerline conditioning.
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