Does Your System Have a Warm Sound?

[bigburner]

A major criticism that many people have about their audio system is that it isn’t warm enough. This frequently prompts those people to consider an expensive upgrade.

I have concluded that the main cause of the warmth problem is that many recordings are simply too bright. These recordings are going to lack warmth on any good system. A good example is Bruce Springsteen’s last CD “Magic” which is unbearable on my system. It was probably mastered to run on an iPod, not a hi-fi system. It’s just a nasty cacophony.

In contrast a DVD that I’ve been enjoying recently has a warm, rich, lush, ambient sound. It’s the Cowboy Junkies “Trinity Revisited” which is beautifully recorded (in a church with wonderful acoustics), beautifully mixed (every voice and instrument is clear and at the right volume) and beautifully mastered (just the right amount of compression – which is a real benefit of DVDs that don’t play on iPods).

So if you are thinking about upgrading your system because it isn’t warm enough then do yourself a favour and try “Trinity Revisited” first. You’ll also get some stunningly beautiful music.

Another cause of the warmth problem is your mood. When I'm in a receptive mood music sounds richer and warmer than when I'm not in the mood. So our ears are sometimes not the issue. It’s what’s between our ears.

Nigel.

Edit: Reading this again I think I've been unfair to iPods. The Springsteen album is just poorly mixed and mastered. Apple isn't to blame.

[Briz vegas]

That DVD again BB I really must get that one.

I agree - source material and mood play a big part in system enjoyment. Sometimes when you have time to listen to music you are not receptive to it and it does not take you off to audio heaven as it should. Music is a shortcut to your emotions/ mood and we don't always feel ready to engage.

On "brightness", I had a listen to a pair of B&W Signature Diamonds yesterday. They sound great and the system had incredible definition. My current setup at home is very good in this regard, the diamonds went further but sometimes I thought the treble was verging on edgy. The dealer had a funny CD mat that was supposed to do good things (he did not say what). I noticed that it quickly sorted the slight issue with the highs. Lovely system but it was not warm.

At home I have been heading towards a warmer sound after making a number of changes, but my latest tweeks have pushed me back towards neutral. It started with replacing the last of my stock power cords. It was better in so many ways but some of the slightly woofy bass was lost that I was sort of enjoying. Then I started experimenting with the room again.

I have found that my home made corner bass trap and a couple of absorbers behind the speakers (a couple of high 2 pole speaker stands with thick old towels wrapped around each - very temporary solutions, but it works) mean that I am not missing the slight warmth from the bass as the midrange is clearer, bass is more defined, vocals are more real and the overall sound is nicely detailed.

Its amazing how much time and effort it can take to edge towards that sound that makes you forget about "hifi' and just enjoy the sounds. DVDs are different, and live performances more so, as your other senses are engaged, it a more wholistic experience.

[wkhanna]

Adding a tube pre to my system went a long way towards taming the shrillness that can at times be associated with digital software and SS digital front-end, along with the ridiculously poor engineering quality of most music on the market.

My best solution to date has been the recent acquisition of a Music Hall MMF-7 Turntable. So far, out of the 50 + LP's I have, about ten are the same titles I’ve had on CD for some time, and in all cases, the analog versions sound warmer, fuller with more depth, detail and realism than their digital counterparts.

[wkhanna]

At home ......my latest tweeks have pushed me back towards neutral. .......Then I started experimenting with the room again.

I agree, room treatment is still one of best and most cost-effective, yet overlooked ways to improve your system.

[Hdale85]

Speaking of room treatments Bill, when are you going to get some. You know I moved into this new apartment and it amazed me at how lively my old apartment was and it wasn't as lively as yours.

[PewterTA]

Actually I don't think he needs much of anything now. With his switch to playing mainly Vinyl now. His system is almost completely dead on (for me). I agree his room and system were (and still are in some respects) very bright. However, a GREAT deal of the problem is the mastering/engineering of the recordings.

We were listening to a Record or two that he had on both CD and Vinyl. In every way the vinyl blew away the CD. Granted not each of those were off the same masters, but we did have one that was off the same master and the CD had none of the definition, soundstage, punch, or transients of the Vinyl copy.

I will give the CD copies the benefit were they were more "pristine," but it was almost an unnaturalness to it. Course once I helped adjust his TT (amazing what a Vertical adjustment can do) he had almost all of the high frequencies and much better low frequencies.

So now we both want to if we are capable of recreating that type of a sound in the digital domain. Doing our own Analog to Digital recording (converting). I'm fairly confident it can pretty easily be done, but it's going to be interesting to see the difference.

But I completely agree, most recordings these days are 120% horrid. They are not making the recordings for any type of a system other than an iPod.

iPod, ruining our sound 1 song at a time.

[Hdale85]

No its still very lively... I don't know I'm not sure how your room is Dan as I've never seen it But this room I am in now has a false ceiling and carpet everywhere and very thick wood paneling and its very dead. Although I still want to build some room treatments

I got my DAC and I was amazed how bad about 50% of my music sounded...

[wkhanna]

Actually I don't think he needs much of anything now. With his switch to playing mainly Vinyl now. His system is almost completely dead on (for me). I agree his room and system were (and still are in some respects) very bright.

Remember also, compared to you young-in's with your youthful ears and synapses, my 50 yo ears suffer from the abuse of motor sports induced damage, and I have documented loss in the upper range, so I may not be hearing some of 'brightness' you guys do in my system. I do still hear reflections though, and additional treatments will be added soon to address those issues in my room, provided, of course, they meet the dreaded WAF minimum standards.

[Hdale85]

I think we can cover them in a fabric that is to her taste.

[PewterTA]

I told you Bill, 3 walls of nothing buy Vinyl LPs sitting there will easily stop all those reflections. And as long as the a few of them are the wife's, you're good! ha ha.

[wkhanna]

However, a GREAT deal of the problem is the mastering/engineering of the recordings.

Please go the link and read what Mikey Fermer said back in 1985. It’s a relatively short but informative read.
The more things change, the more they stay the same!
link

[iiaudio]

I told you Bill, 3 walls of nothing buy Vinyl LPs sitting there will easily stop all those reflections. And as long as the a few of them are the wife's, you're good! ha ha.

Perfect!!!

[wettou]

After a good meal and a glass of wine my system get even warmer

[whoaru99]

No, it doesn't, and I'm fine with that. :T

[CRIMSON PEARL]

My system is warm as shit (the warm kind). Music from the HDD is very warm & spacious. Even music from digital cable music channels is warm IF I run it through the MD recorder first. :B

I just wish my car system sounded this good.

[dknightd]

I assume Bruce could make this CD sound anyway he wanted. Maybe he has even more high frequency hearing loss than I do and liked the way it sounded with too much emphasis on the treble (some of his other albums are also done this way, so, he must like it).

[H.T.C]

After a good meal and a glass of wine my system get even warmer

After a few glasses of wine not only does ones system sound warm but more expensive as well...umm...in fact many things begin to seem better. :B

[David Meek]

Oooh, let's not make this too "warm and fuzzy". Are you talking warm to the point of being euphonic? Bad. Bad, bad. Bad, bad, bad. IMHO anyway. : A system that's clean, clear, balanced and listenable is what I strive for. Too much warmth masks or overrides other parts of the music and too analytical takes away from the ability to enjoy the music for the music itself.

Simply, I don't want a mid-range to die for at the expense of treble and/or base, and I don't wan't it analytical at the expense of the beauty.