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RE: Harsh vocals in Magnepan 3.7i

"...makes many of my favs unenjoyable."

But are there _some_ vocals that sound OK on your 3.7i?
I moved from the 1.6 to the 3.7i, using the Halo A21 on both. The ribbon tweeter was quite a change and, yes, it made some of my recordings sound too bright and at times harsh. But I suspect this is the way the music was recorded, and the 3.7i's are simply more accurate in showing that.
I do have many recordings that sound really good, both vocals and instrumentals, but I continue to be surprised at the problems revealed - and not just in the treble - by some of the tracks that I used to think were OK.

I doubt that the A21 is the problem, unless you are really blasting it; mine gets slightly warmer than it did with the 1.6s, but never runs hot.
Before I bought the speakers, I called Magnepan, and was told that the A21 was a very good amp for the 3.7i.

The 1 ohm resistors supplied with the speakers killed all the highs in my room; 3/4 ohm Duelund resistors have tamed things to a degree.
With ribbon tweeters, I found that high frequencies were being reflected more strongly and from different places than with the 1.6s, so I spent quite a bit of time experimenting with the placement of 3" thick foam wedge panels. This was tricky -- sibilants on some vocal recording were coming from off to one side, while the vocalist was well centred. High frequencies also varied depending on whether I was standing or sitting.
Eventually these problems were solved, but some recordings are still so bright they can take the enamel off your teeth.




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