Loud Music Sounds Harsh

Dan2036

When i blast music it just seems to get really harsh sounding. The highs are just ear piercing. is that because i'm listening to mp3's or is it something about my system, or is this just a normal part of blasting ??

concealer404

It's because you're listening to MP3s. Don't do that.

Dan2036

What about imported music off cd's, as aiff's ?

concealer404

I don't know what an aiff is.

Either listen to lossless, or the cd itself.

coolsax

or if you really have to listen to Mp3s at least get a decent DAC that might help too..but as concealer said go losseless or CD itself if you can

Dan2036

How much would a decent DAC cost ? Does my Receiver already have one ?

tonyb

Agree on the MP3 thing, also dude, turn it down. Speakers have limits,your gear has limits, you keep pushing it,say goodby to those speaks.

Dan2036

What would be considered pushing it ? -10db on the Hk is about as loud as i'll go

concealer404

Dan2036 wrote: »

What would be considered pushing it ? -10db on the Hk is about as loud as i'll go

We don't know how loud that is on your gear, in your house, to your ears.

Your reciever has a DAC in it. But honestly, it won't matter. MP3 = garbage.

Garbage in, garbage out.

heiney9

coolsax wrote: »

or if you really have to listen to Mp3s at least get a decent DAC that might help too..but as concealer said go losseless or CD itself if you can

No it won't.............mp3's suck for fidelity.

Dan2036

So i'll stay away from mp3's but now you got me worried i'm pushing the speakers to much, is there anyway to tell ?

nguyendot

You're only running 50watts RMS per channel (yes I know about HK).
-10 is very very high on the volume scale. At -10db on my surround system windows are cracking and light fixtures are separating from the ceiling.

At -10db on my 2 channel system you're talking permanent hearing damage.

Also, your speakers are monitors, not made for blasting. If you want to blast get some SDA's or Klipsch. Your speakers can definitely use more than 50w rms as well if you want to blast.

concealer404

Dan2036 wrote: »

So i'll stay away from mp3's but now you got me worried i'm pushing the speakers to much, is there anyway to tell ?

If it sounds bad, you're pushing too hard.

Dan2036

Well i'm using the Stereo receiver the HK 3390 which are 80w rms,

Dan2036

So the monitors aren't considered musical speakers ? or just not blasting speakers ?

ShinAce

concealer404 wrote: »

If it sounds bad, you're pushing too hard.

+1

Why didn't you just say that to begin with, instead of laying all the blame on mp3s?

Seriously, turn it down before you blow the tweeters and try a few different recordings to see for yourself if it's the music or the speakers.

Dan2036

Oh i'm not complaining about the speakers they're great at normal volumes, just i guess not at the volumes i played them at. Explains the temporary hearing loss yesterday...

heiney9

nguyendot wrote: »

You're only running 50watts RMS per channel (yes I know about HK).
-10 is very very high on the volume scale. At -10db on my surround system windows are cracking and light fixtures are separating from the ceiling.

At -10db on my 2 channel system you're talking permanent hearing damage.

Also, your speakers are monitors, not made for blasting. If you want to blast get some SDA's or Klipsch. Your speakers can definitely use more than 50w rms as well if you want to blast.

Keep in mind every processor that is registering -10dB is not at the same volume level. It's just a scale representing where the volume is not an actuall measurement.

You could out 5 processors/pre-amps in a system and set them all (according to each one's display readout) to -10dB and they would all put out a different level of sound.

So to make a blanket statement that because your system is very very loud at -10dB everyone's is...................really is not true.

That doesn;t mean the OP isn;t listening at too high a level.

H9

coolsax

yes if you have temporary hearing loss then it is too high

Dan2036

It's a small room though, i'm gonna partially blame it on that. So were the Monitor 60's meant more for theater or Music ?

coolsax

heiney9 wrote: »

No it won't.............mp3's suck for fidelity.

I know, but I wasn't sure sure if a good DAC would help or not that's why I said might...

heiney9

coolsax wrote: »

I know, but I wasn't sure sure if a good DAC would help or not that's why I said might...

Tubes can help a little in some cases...............as nicer dac just makes mp3's even worse.

Dan2036

I just added the HK 3390 so not really looking to replace that anytime soon

nguyendot

heiney9 wrote: »

Keep in mind every processor that is registering -10dB is not at the same volume level. It's just a scale representing where the volume is not an actuall measurement.

You could out 5 processors/pre-amps in a system and set them all (according to each one's display readout) to -10dB and they would all put out a different level of sound.

So to make a blanket statement that because your system is very very loud at -10dB everyone's is...................really is not true.

That doesn;t mean the OP isn;t listening at too high a level.

H9

Yes I know -10db is not going to be the same across all systems, it's still very close to reference level (even though technically if it were true db it'd be over 5x louder at 0db). That should be pretty loud.

TroyD

Yes, mp3 sucks.

Also, I suspect that you are clipping the amp...and that harshness is probably straight DC frying your speakers.

Read up on tinitus....

Enjoy!

BDT

tderks

How does it sound with other sorces? more than one issue here obviously, not to mention playing to lound.

T

nguyendot

I'm telling you if you want loud get bigger speakers. My ForteII's are made for louuuud. My polks are made for 'awesome clear sound'.

Dan2036

With Cd's it always seems like i have to adjust the bass with each cd

Dan2036

But aside from being unbalanced they sound great

tderks

OK but is it Harsh, CD's vary greatly especially if it was from a crappy master. Make sure your not starving you amps for power.

Dan2036

Really loud ya it can get on the harsh side like you said depends on the CD, how do i know if i'm starving my amp ?