Accurate vs. Warm

[JetFlyGuy]

Hello all,
I posted a thread here several months ago complaining that I was very unhappy with the sound of my Rotel gear. My primary issue was that it sounded very "harsh" and lacked warmth and depth compared with the low-cost harman/kardon and infinity gear that it replaced. I received a lot of response indicating that the room may have been playing a large part in my problem. Fast forward to today: I have bought a new house that had an extra bedroom I am dedicating to home theater. I have upgraded the 1068 processor to a 1095, and I am having a full acoustic treatment of the room... My question is, given this envirnmoent, can I expect a warm sounding theater, or is the high level of "accuracy" that this gear has going to leave me disappointed again? I understand that this is a difficult question to answer, but I have found several threads in this forum from people who have had the same complaints as me, and I was just wondering if Rotel has a reputation for having a less warm sound than the stuff you get at the superstores? I have invested a lot more money into this setup since I bought the new house, and as of yet it hasn't been hooked up, so I am looking to get some insight into what I can expect! THanks -Josh

[JetFlyGuy]

The equipment list is as follows:

Rotel RMB-1075 Amplifier
Rotel RSP-1098 Surround Sound Processor
Rotel RDV-1040 DVD Player
B&W 704 Front Speakers
B&W HTM7 Center Speakers
B&W ASW750 Subwoofer
B&W DS7 Surround Speakers

[i_amadeo]

only you can say....but i have a 1095 hooked up with a yamaha receiever/ processor and i think my gear sounds slightly warm...not to the extent of complaining about it but just a bit so i think its all in the kind of processor you have your gear is great and the 1095 should do just fine with what you have

[Shane Martin]

JetFlyGuy,
While it is easy to say the room has a big affect, the speaker you use also have it. I can't say that I've ever heard a set of B&W's that were warm. Then again I never heard that about Infinity's either.

[RebelMan]

Shane is right about the speakers playing a role here. The B&W 700 series is a little bright. I auditioned the 704's personally and found them not quite to my liking, because of this, and one of the reasons why I moved into the 800 series, which can also be a little bright. If your speakers are fairly new, I would give them some time to break-in before making any decisions. The harshness will wear off some in time.

[PewterTA]

I went from a yamaha receiver which was really bright, added a 1095 which warmed it up a little bit (which I had a problem with it because I didn't think it was accurate). To dumping the yamaha...well I still have it in it's box in the attic because I do like it...and going with the 1098. Which again I think warmed it up a slight bit more. I found that I run the HF at +2 (I think it's two) and find it perfect for my listening on my B&W DM604s3's. It's taken me a good 2 or 3 weeks to get used to the sound, then once I did, I fell in love with everything even more.

But they are right, I've heard (for myself though never closely listened to them) that 700 series is a brighter speaker. Something like the 800s or even the 600 series might fit you better as they are slightly warmer.

I just hate seeing people try to go warmer because often times you can miss details in music this way. The setup you have is good, I just think it's more the wrong components (speakers & amps/processors).

[jim777]

I found that the B&W 703's could sound a bit harsh on Rotel (RC1070/RB1070) but very warm on the amp I bought (McIntosh MA6500). It was like if the "details" (musical or not) were well represented instead of just the "musical" details. I could almost hear the bits on the CDs I was listening (with a Rotel CD player...). I'm happy with my MA6500, RCD-1072 and 703's.

So that was just to say that the 700 series aren't so bad as I would have thought while reading the htguide forums. The cheapest thing you could try is different speaker and interconnect cables. I won't give any names here but try some different ones, it can make a big difference too

[greenjudas]

I find it amazing [and confusing] in the broad differences of opinion in peoples audio gear.Having recently aquired the rsp1066 to go with my rmb1075,I'll add my bit.When I first heard this combo at a store with Klipsch and Dali speakers,both my mate and I were convinced "that" sound was what we were looking for,leaning slightly to the warm side but clean,accurate and never harsh or bright.We played material that can get harsh such as Metallica,Judas Priest and Midnight Oil,and it all sounded fantastic.
Since then I have read just about everything known to man about both items and this is where it got confusing.The overall impression was that the combo was smooth, clean ,dark and alot have said 'too smooth'.Then others say how bright,harsh it is.I know room and speakers play a part but to get complete opposites of opinion is amazing.
After reading the 'bright' reviews I was very worried as I have JBL fronts and centre that both have titanium tweeters and have the capacity to get harsh with wrong equipment.Well,I am happy!It can lean toward the harsh side on a small number of cd's but mostly its clean,forward,detailed and has 'that' sound.Cheers

[DrJRapp]

After reading the 'bright' reviews I was very worried as I have JBL fronts and centre that both have titanium tweeters and have the capacity to get harsh with wrong equipment.Well,I am happy!It can lean toward the harsh side on a small number of cd's but mostly its clean,forward,detailed and has 'that' sound.Cheers

I have Klipsch Reference 7 series with titanium tweeters in the horns, and if any speaker can be considered "bright" or "harsh" it is the Klipsch Reference. I bought my Rotel gear because of all the good things the people over at the Klipsch BB had to say about how well balanced the Rotel was with the 7 series. I started as you have with a 1066 and found it warm and just a tad "dark" for music. Then I moved up to the 1098 which is more detailed and has a sweeter disposition and never gets harsh at all.

[RebelMan]

I suspect that the opinons very so much because the setups do. When I say setups I mean EVERYTHING, from the music to the environment. Really, how many of us actually have the same setup? To extrapolate any meaningful data you have to analyze the "typical trends." Rotel and B&W's (when paired together) typically sound brighter but this is not always the case. So, consider EVERYTHING when you read those "bright" reviews. :T

[JetFlyGuy]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I will let you know what I think of it once everything is in place.

[mikeyc]

Jerry: you said that the 1098 is not as harsh as the 1066, do you know how the 1068 would compare?

[DrJRapp]

Jerry: you said that the 1098 is not as harsh as the 1066, do you know how the 1068 would compare?

No, that's not what I said at all. I never said the 1066 was harsh, I said it was warm and a tad "dark". Then I went on to say that the 1098 is sweeter.

Yes, I know very well how the 1068 would compare since I critically compared them before I purchased my 1098. Sonically the 1098 and 1068 are nearly identical. The 1098 is a tad quieter, and there are other differences that can be heard with ultra high end speakers and premium input gear, but all in all the 1068 is much closer in sound to a 1098 than it is to a 1066.

[NewBuyer]

1068: $1700
1098: $3000

So is the extra $1300.00 for the 1098 mostly due to the LCD screen then? If so, that's seriously one expensive little LCD screen...

[DrJRapp]

1068: $1700
1098: $3000

So is the extra $1300.00 for the 1098 mostly due to the LCD screen then? If so, that's seriously one expensive little LCD screen...

Agreed, it's a hellava expensive screen, that, in my case, doesn't even get used! If I had it to do over again I would buy the 1068 over the 1098 that I did buy. Then again, if I had originally gotten the 1068, I'm the kind of guy that would have always said, "I soulda got the 1098."

Oh by the way, when it comes down to real purchase time, if you are a good negotiator there is only really about a $700 difference between the two after discounts.

[ds22030]

JetFly, I am in a similar boat as you as I went from an HK230 acting as pre/pro to a 1068. I couldnt believe how much brighter the 1068 is....although admittedly the HK was probably too warm to begin with. I have been tinkering with cables and that has helped quite a bit...something for you to consider....I also picked up a Marantz 8400 which is supposed to have a slight warm sound which I will try with hte RB1080 to see which one I like better....