As a deaf person I confirm
Without a doubt, horn speakers are the best way to listen to classical music. I use a Dirac system to tune the room and a TAD4001 with 300 cutter speakers and the crossover. I tried many options.
With several slopes, finally 600Hz 12dB per octave show the best 3D image, obviously the curve I use is exclusively for my lost hearing.
With digital processing is the best way couse you can try many things compensating the phase and the slope, good earing for everybody.
Dirac----nanoDigi-----three ways out (I use only two) then Three Soekris DAC tuned, Bass and midds Two openbaffle H cabinet with two Acoustic Elegance OB15 with an Nakamichi amp 270watts/Ch, the horns with F7 at 3watts/Channel.
Before this system I tried Mauhorn Signature One with DX4, then after ten years I bought EX4, then Feastrex D9e electromagnetic powered, then OB with 18inches monster triamp, I changing the amps that is the same sound, the horns are something professional and reliable monster sound at all. Since I found this combination
(Loudspeakers) for the last 5 years. The next best or similar sound are Quad 2905.
Dirac----nanoDigi-----three ways out (I use only two) then Three Soekris DAC tuned, Bass and midds Two openbaffle H cabinet with two Acoustic Elegance OB15 with an Nakamichi amp 270watts/Ch, the horns with F7 at 3watts/Channel.
Before this system I tried Mauhorn Signature One with DX4, then after ten years I bought EX4, then Feastrex D9e electromagnetic powered, then OB with 18inches monster triamp, I changing the amps that is the same sound, the horns are something professional and reliable monster sound at all. Since I found this combination
(Loudspeakers) for the last 5 years. The next best or similar sound are Quad 2905.
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Hearing classical music adequately to continue to appreciate it is a laudable goal. I have rather severe hearing loss, -45 to -55dB across the frequency spectrum, yet my wife and I greatly enjoy live concerts at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. We have been season ticket subscribers for over 10 years, and I have worn hearing aids longer than that. But hearing classical music isn't the primary reason I went this route. Before getting aids I had developed rather annoying tinnitus, which is a common side effect of progressive hearing loss. Think of it as your brain turning up the volume control to try to compensate for microphones that no longer work. The end result is spurious noise that you "hear" quite clearly, especially at bedtime. It's very annoying, but the most important reason to correct hearing loss is the strong correlation between uncorrected hearing loss and the risk of age-related dementia. The progressive isolation of uncorrected hearing loss has much, much more serious consequences than limiting the enjoyment of recorded music.
Imagine a near-sighted person asking on a forum how big of a TV screen they need to buy to see it clearly from a seating position 10' away on the couch. (Steps down from soap box)
Imagine a near-sighted person asking on a forum how big of a TV screen they need to buy to see it clearly from a seating position 10' away on the couch. (Steps down from soap box)
I've done a lot of searching of various brands and was hoping to find a full range driver drop-in replacement. But it looks like the only full range driver that even comes close to the current cut-out diameter is the TangBand W5-2143. It's even a little too large and will require some cabinet modifications.
Thought I would see more choices, but now don't think there is anything else.
Some 'full range' drivers still may need some sort of contour/filter parts to help shape the sound.
Hearing aids may not be a solution for music listening and appreciation (as distinct from other purposes): anyone I know who uses them reports difficulty in listening to the instruments in an orchestra, so that it's almost a 'blob' of sound. And they use good quality aids, too.
Geoff
Hearing aids may not be a solution for music listening and appreciation (as distinct from other purposes): anyone I know who uses them reports difficulty in listening to the instruments in an orchestra, so that it's almost a 'blob' of sound. And they use good quality aids, too.
Geoff
Thanks Geoff, that's very interesting input.
There have been some strong suggestions here that I should get hearing aids, but I've been just as strong resisting it. Mainly because I still fully enjoy music from my stereo system and don't feel there is any real need to change. Plus, I've had some concern over the possible negative aspects of using them for listening to music. This seems to confirm my position.
There have been some strong suggestions here that I should get hearing aids, but I've been just as strong resisting it. Mainly because I still fully enjoy music from my stereo system and don't feel there is any real need to change. Plus, I've had some concern over the possible negative aspects of using them for listening to music. This seems to confirm my position.
As an example, my father can't listen to anything other than solo instruments with any enjoyment; even then, it's mainly piano. He had to get the hearing aids for the usual things but finds it very frustrating that he can't really enjoy music much any more. He also reports some sibilance with violin, a pity as the Bach solo violin works are some of his favourite music.
Geoff
Geoff
Not my experience at all. In fact, it is the exact opposite.
I might add that there is no shortage of people who find hearing aids don't work for them, for various reasons.
And when I was in the stage where I was unsure, I took comfort in these people and their stories.
But it also didn't help me hear any better.
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I wonder if the common DSP hardware or software can transcribe down an octave or two on-the-fly? It would be trivial to convert some favorite pieces as WAV files using PC DAW (I have very inexpensive NCH Software). Next time I fire it up.
In the mean time recommendations for your father: Air-on-G-string played on G-string (Satoko Koda), and Early Music viol (Jordi Savall).
Perhaps your father just needs his adjusted a little bit.
Most of the hearing aid places in Australia are really good with providing adjustments for customers at any time.
I just had one yesterday in fact.
This topic has clearly resonanated with forum members. Perhaps classic/vintage alnico paper-cone speakers etc gave a better presentation for this audience.
I am a strong believer in EQ & High Efficiency tweeters to help people with hearing loss.
In many cases, this is not a cure but can greatly improve sound clarity.
Some people may not realize what they are missing until they hear it 🙂
In many cases, this is not a cure but can greatly improve sound clarity.
Some people may not realize what they are missing until they hear it 🙂
I can't find any full range drivers that will exactly fit the current cut-out in the speaker, but there are some about an inch smaller in diameter. Considering making a wooden reducer ring that would fill the gap and can then test different drivers.
Well, even if you can't hear it... you may be able to feel it.
At the same time... are you listening alone?
There are plenty of speakers/drivers that can go up to 20kHz or close.
I think you are missing the whole point of this thread.
My question as expressed in the opening post is whether someone with severely limited hearing above 4K would benefit by changing from a 2-Way speaker to a full range version.
The idea being that a full range speaker eliminates the crossover and any imperfections in sound that it brings. Some people here think that the difference is significant. I'm trying to find out how significant it is below 4K before making an investment.
My question as expressed in the opening post is whether someone with severely limited hearing above 4K would benefit by changing from a 2-Way speaker to a full range version.
The idea being that a full range speaker eliminates the crossover and any imperfections in sound that it brings. Some people here think that the difference is significant. I'm trying to find out how significant it is below 4K before making an investment.