Hi, all.
Before andyone says anything, i'm putting this here because I need suggestions on equipment and design. That said......
I have been having a hell of a time designing and tuning my system. Never is right. Far from it.
As some of you may know from the old days of eca, my problem has always been that it's been too "harsh".
That was a while ago, and since then the system has been through many iterations. All with the same issue.
And it's not only my system. I've been increasingly been having issues with the home audio setup, tv, phone, etc....
So, a few weeks ago Des and I decided that it was time to go to an audiologist just to see if anything was wrong.
Well, wouldn't you know, I have a hearing problem.
Not losing my hearing, believe it or not, but something has happened that has given me well above average hearing. Sounds good, but it most definitely is not.
Here's the issue. I can hear everything. And it's all loud.
For example, if i'm in a room full of people, some talking loudly, some normally, and some quiet, I can hear it all, loudly, at roughly the same volume. I guess you can say my volume is broken.
As you can imagine, it gets extremely confusing at times, because since it is all hitting me, it's very hard to sort out. Sounds like a big jumble, and sometimes I can't make out what's being said, even directly to me.
I have to ask people to repeat themselves, sometimes multiple times, before I can get it all.
Yikes.
Couple that with an extreme sensitivity, and it makes for a lot of headaches. Literally.
And by sensitivity, I mean I can almost never put my TV above 10-12, the phone is always on minimum volume, audio system both car and home are kept low.
It sucks. Not because it's too loud, but because it's "harsh". Harsh is not really the right word, but it's the only way I can describe it for now.
I went through extensive testing, lots of tests, charts, graphs, etc.....
My hearing is so sensitive, i'm even hearing things a lot of people can't.
Long story short, this is why I feel my system always sounds like ****, even when others says it's fantastic.
To make matters worse, I eneded up undergoing brain testing, something about the nerves is causing this, and find out that not only the problems above exist, but the left side of my brain is processing audio "delayed".
That's how the Dr described it.
One side of my head processes the info faster than the other, making one side "delayed", in effect seeming that one side "hears" the sounds after the other.
I guess you could say my "time delay circuit" is malfunctioning.
Double yikes.
Anyway, that's the short of it. Obviously, I could go into more detail, but why bother.
The point is, i'm not ready to give up audio, instead, I want to do a complete system redesign and try to compensate for the issues.
I need equipment suggestions, and setup suggestions.
Currently, I'm running Scan-Speak D2904-60001 Alpine variants for tweets, MLI-65's for mids. Subs I have no issues with.
Mids in doors, tweets in sail panels.
P880-PRS for source.
Both mids and tweets are way too harsh for me. If I turn it up, it just hurts. And I'm not talking loud. The volume is fine when still, in motion, I can barely hear it. That's how low it is. It's the audio ITSELF that's the issue.
I'm relegated to talk radio while in motion, because that's the most pleasing too my ears while I drive.
The EQ on my P880 has the last 3rd of the EQ range set to near or as low as the deck will let me, as that is where most of the sensitivity lies, and the levels in the level adjustment is at like -10.
All gains set at minimum. Still have an issue.
What I need are the most laid-back tweets and mids I can possibly find. (if "laid-back" is the correct term - if not, "non-harsh" would do it.)
Thing is, they must also of course fit my main choice for music. While I do in fact listen to most genres, my main choice is rock/metal.
Iron Maiden
Bruce Dickinson
Suicidal Tendencies
Firehouse
Megadeth
Metallica
Ozzy
Nightwish
G'n'R
and the like.
I have no idea what to look for in speakers with my above issues.
DIY is preferred, but not required. At this point, even a 40 dollar cheapo comp set would be acceptable, if it fit the bill, and didn't hurt.
I don't care anymore.
I would like to keep this as cheap as possible as well. Don't want to throw tons of $$ at what is essentially a medical problem after already throwing a crap-ton for co-pays, percentages, etc....
Power is not an issue. I have more amps than I can shake a stick at. In fact, I'll be selling some.
As far as what help in system design, I have no idea how to compensate for the harshness or delay issues. Possibly a combo of phase, time delay, etc....?
No idea.
I'm lost here.
Any suggestions? Equipment? Design?
EDIT: Corrected spelling and punctuation.
Before andyone says anything, i'm putting this here because I need suggestions on equipment and design. That said......
I have been having a hell of a time designing and tuning my system. Never is right. Far from it.
As some of you may know from the old days of eca, my problem has always been that it's been too "harsh".
That was a while ago, and since then the system has been through many iterations. All with the same issue.
And it's not only my system. I've been increasingly been having issues with the home audio setup, tv, phone, etc....
So, a few weeks ago Des and I decided that it was time to go to an audiologist just to see if anything was wrong.
Well, wouldn't you know, I have a hearing problem.
Not losing my hearing, believe it or not, but something has happened that has given me well above average hearing. Sounds good, but it most definitely is not.
Here's the issue. I can hear everything. And it's all loud.
For example, if i'm in a room full of people, some talking loudly, some normally, and some quiet, I can hear it all, loudly, at roughly the same volume. I guess you can say my volume is broken.
As you can imagine, it gets extremely confusing at times, because since it is all hitting me, it's very hard to sort out. Sounds like a big jumble, and sometimes I can't make out what's being said, even directly to me.
I have to ask people to repeat themselves, sometimes multiple times, before I can get it all.
Yikes.
Couple that with an extreme sensitivity, and it makes for a lot of headaches. Literally.
And by sensitivity, I mean I can almost never put my TV above 10-12, the phone is always on minimum volume, audio system both car and home are kept low.
It sucks. Not because it's too loud, but because it's "harsh". Harsh is not really the right word, but it's the only way I can describe it for now.
I went through extensive testing, lots of tests, charts, graphs, etc.....
My hearing is so sensitive, i'm even hearing things a lot of people can't.
Long story short, this is why I feel my system always sounds like ****, even when others says it's fantastic.
To make matters worse, I eneded up undergoing brain testing, something about the nerves is causing this, and find out that not only the problems above exist, but the left side of my brain is processing audio "delayed".
That's how the Dr described it.
One side of my head processes the info faster than the other, making one side "delayed", in effect seeming that one side "hears" the sounds after the other.
I guess you could say my "time delay circuit" is malfunctioning.
Double yikes.
Anyway, that's the short of it. Obviously, I could go into more detail, but why bother.
The point is, i'm not ready to give up audio, instead, I want to do a complete system redesign and try to compensate for the issues.
I need equipment suggestions, and setup suggestions.
Currently, I'm running Scan-Speak D2904-60001 Alpine variants for tweets, MLI-65's for mids. Subs I have no issues with.
Mids in doors, tweets in sail panels.
P880-PRS for source.
Both mids and tweets are way too harsh for me. If I turn it up, it just hurts. And I'm not talking loud. The volume is fine when still, in motion, I can barely hear it. That's how low it is. It's the audio ITSELF that's the issue.
I'm relegated to talk radio while in motion, because that's the most pleasing too my ears while I drive.
The EQ on my P880 has the last 3rd of the EQ range set to near or as low as the deck will let me, as that is where most of the sensitivity lies, and the levels in the level adjustment is at like -10.
All gains set at minimum. Still have an issue.
What I need are the most laid-back tweets and mids I can possibly find. (if "laid-back" is the correct term - if not, "non-harsh" would do it.)
Thing is, they must also of course fit my main choice for music. While I do in fact listen to most genres, my main choice is rock/metal.
Iron Maiden
Bruce Dickinson
Suicidal Tendencies
Firehouse
Megadeth
Metallica
Ozzy
Nightwish
G'n'R
and the like.
I have no idea what to look for in speakers with my above issues.
DIY is preferred, but not required. At this point, even a 40 dollar cheapo comp set would be acceptable, if it fit the bill, and didn't hurt.
I don't care anymore.
I would like to keep this as cheap as possible as well. Don't want to throw tons of $$ at what is essentially a medical problem after already throwing a crap-ton for co-pays, percentages, etc....
Power is not an issue. I have more amps than I can shake a stick at. In fact, I'll be selling some.
As far as what help in system design, I have no idea how to compensate for the harshness or delay issues. Possibly a combo of phase, time delay, etc....?
No idea.
I'm lost here.
Any suggestions? Equipment? Design?
EDIT: Corrected spelling and punctuation.