I recently aquired a set of magnepan 2.7s which are pretty huge for the medium size living room i have and supprise supprise i have some serious trebble harshness happening-can i use the jriver crossover to tame the trebble a bit and where would be a good frequency to start? im still learning all of this
I 've had Magnepans (1.6's long ago) but at present something totally different, Yorkville Unity 15 horns. I HAVE used JRMC for many years, and thus can give pointers. Be aware that my system is active EQ and the x-over is all in JRMC. Unless you are running your speakers active, I suspect you are using the term "crossover" in error. What you're seeking is simply to adjust the frequency response to your own liking. With JRMC nothing could be easier. It will require some fiddling and (optionally) test gear and/or test signals.
It's worth asking: do you have the gear to EQ your system a certain way, to a certain standard. This is helpful, especially for bass issues. I've done those, but the most satisfying EQ to me was more or less as follows. In fact, as I'll explain below, the most important setting (in my opinion, of course) requires a "test signal" -- the 1/3 octave pink noise -- but no meters allowed, except your own ears.
Subjective equal loudness EQ using 1/3 octave pink noise bands. Where do you get the pink noise? I found various places on the internet where you can get either the WAV files, or a program to create your own. Once you have a set of these, you cycle through them, gradually adjusting with EQ (more below) until, to your hearing, not necessarily what a meter says, you think each noise band is about the same loudness. Please do NOT confuse this method with using a meter to get each band to about the same level; that is an alternative method, but will approach more a "flat" system which is not what I advocate, although many people use that as their standard.
JRMC may have other EQs, but the only one I use is via the Parametricc Equaalizer. For each frequency you wish to adjust, choose add and pick the first item "Adjust a frequency (equalizer filter)." What to set its values to? If you are using 1/3 octave EQ, use:
frequency = whatever the center band of your noise sample is (157 Hz, 1000 Hz, etc.)
bandwidth = 4.36
gain = + or - to adjust its relative level
channels = (usually) left; right
and save it.
The rest of this is up to you and the most time consuming: finding the EQ that works best for you. If you wish to learn more, I relied on this web site (also, other articles here):
http://www.davidgriesinger.com/headphones.htm
Note that this is only one way to EQ a system. But it's my favorite, and while I fiddle with settings when I'm bored, I've never heard anything better. Again, I emphasize that the curve you'll arrive at will be unique to your unique hearing, Griesinger says about the same. I hope that others will weigh in here and perhaps offer their favorite methods.
If you have test gear, you can do simple stuff like reduce annoying resonances (usually in the bass). In my experience, a system equalized "flat" is far too bright sounding.
Method #2: if you're lazy and want quick results, just try one filter at a time, playing with the bandwidth and frequency and using cuts of perhaps -3, -6, -9 and try to zero in on what removes the harsh you hear. Alternatively WITH THE VOLUME NOT TOO HIGH you can temporarily use a big boost (like +10 dB) and hunt around at different frequencies and the harsh will be painfully obvious. Then cut at that frequency, and adjust your bandwidth to taste. You can also use music as the "test signal"; you'll just have to hunt around more until you first find the objectionable firequency and then tame it down. You can do this more than once, of course. I would suggest one at a time.
If you have any questions, send a message and I'll respond, although it may not be rapidly.
It's worth asking: do you have the gear to EQ your system a certain way, to a certain standard. This is helpful, especially for bass issues. I've done those, but the most satisfying EQ to me was more or less as follows. In fact, as I'll explain below, the most important setting (in my opinion, of course) requires a "test signal" -- the 1/3 octave pink noise -- but no meters allowed, except your own ears.
Subjective equal loudness EQ using 1/3 octave pink noise bands. Where do you get the pink noise? I found various places on the internet where you can get either the WAV files, or a program to create your own. Once you have a set of these, you cycle through them, gradually adjusting with EQ (more below) until, to your hearing, not necessarily what a meter says, you think each noise band is about the same loudness. Please do NOT confuse this method with using a meter to get each band to about the same level; that is an alternative method, but will approach more a "flat" system which is not what I advocate, although many people use that as their standard.
JRMC may have other EQs, but the only one I use is via the Parametricc Equaalizer. For each frequency you wish to adjust, choose add and pick the first item "Adjust a frequency (equalizer filter)." What to set its values to? If you are using 1/3 octave EQ, use:
frequency = whatever the center band of your noise sample is (157 Hz, 1000 Hz, etc.)
bandwidth = 4.36
gain = + or - to adjust its relative level
channels = (usually) left; right
and save it.
The rest of this is up to you and the most time consuming: finding the EQ that works best for you. If you wish to learn more, I relied on this web site (also, other articles here):
http://www.davidgriesinger.com/headphones.htm
Note that this is only one way to EQ a system. But it's my favorite, and while I fiddle with settings when I'm bored, I've never heard anything better. Again, I emphasize that the curve you'll arrive at will be unique to your unique hearing, Griesinger says about the same. I hope that others will weigh in here and perhaps offer their favorite methods.
If you have test gear, you can do simple stuff like reduce annoying resonances (usually in the bass). In my experience, a system equalized "flat" is far too bright sounding.
Method #2: if you're lazy and want quick results, just try one filter at a time, playing with the bandwidth and frequency and using cuts of perhaps -3, -6, -9 and try to zero in on what removes the harsh you hear. Alternatively WITH THE VOLUME NOT TOO HIGH you can temporarily use a big boost (like +10 dB) and hunt around at different frequencies and the harsh will be painfully obvious. Then cut at that frequency, and adjust your bandwidth to taste. You can also use music as the "test signal"; you'll just have to hunt around more until you first find the objectionable firequency and then tame it down. You can do this more than once, of course. I would suggest one at a time.
If you have any questions, send a message and I'll respond, although it may not be rapidly.
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thanks that is extremely helpful i will have a play around with it and let you know how i go your help is invaluable when trebble is driving me crazy like now 🙂
Could be your room acoustics instead, which would require room treatment.
If you sharply clap your hands in the room, do you hear shattering echos?
Try propping up sofa cushions against the back of the speakers, or draping
a blanket down the back sides, and see if that helps.
If you sharply clap your hands in the room, do you hear shattering echos?
Try propping up sofa cushions against the back of the speakers, or draping
a blanket down the back sides, and see if that helps.
Do you have a treble control on the preamp-amplifier?
It's there to adjust for personal preferences.
It's there to adjust for personal preferences.
You could try same tips used in mixing process - https://www.izotope.com/en/learn/8-tips-for-taming-harsh-treble-in-the-mix.html though, if it is hardware related issue it might be harder work it out... .
Thank you guys for all your help and Soldermizer thank you very much for your advice on tuning the eq on jriver that really helped tame down the harsh trebble I was hearing. I think some of it may have been due to the harsh live recordings i primarily listen to as well but adjusting the top few frequencies certainly stopped my ears bleeding lol so thanks for that I no doubt have to fine tune it but hey now i can and thats awesome 🙂