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February 9, 2011 - 7:30pm
#1
Shouldn't This Sound Better??? JBL890 / Onkyo TX-SR605
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What kind of furnishings are in the room? How far apart are the speakers? How far from the wall are they? How far away from them do you sit?
Could you post a diagram of your room or give a more detailed description?
Do you have heavy drapes or a floor rug? If not, the combination of hardwood floor and plaster walls may be making your room too 'bright,' meaning that all those reflective surfaces may be smearing the sound.
The speakers are about 6 or 7 feet apart and I sit on the couch about 10 feet away. I have curtains at one end of the room, but not at the other. There is an area rug that covers almost the entire area between the speakers and the couch.
What do you have on the side walls?
Is it possible the speakers sound like they should and you just don't like them?
I've never been a fan of most JBL speakers. They always sound to me just like your description. If you didn't audition them before buying you don't know what they are supposed to sound like.
A word to the wise:
Don't buy speakers unless you have heard them or can return them for a full refund.
Let them play for a while (a few days and see if they start to sound any better.
I think you're room is too "bright" meaning slap echoes and other acoustic problems abound. Google Echo Busters and look for solutions. I've never heard the speakers you own but if you can stand in your room when it's quiet and clap your hands once loudly you will probably hear an echo. Imagine all the sounds coming out of your speakers doing the same thing all at the same time...sonic confusion!! The good thing about this product, and there are more than a few others, is that you can start with purchases you can afford and add as you can afford them. Good luck!
Echo Busters seems to be out of business but there are many other providers, including:
www.gikacoustics.com
www.realtraps.com
http://www.acousticsciences.com/
http://www.rpginc.com/residential/index.htm
Kal
The problem might be choosing a home theater receiver to power what sounds like is a two-channel music system. Dump the Onkyo, get a good stereo integrated amplifier, and treating the room acoustically is always advised. JMHO
You said it sounds 'harsh'...I also have an Onkyo receiver in my video setup. I would say it sounds the same for me. My fix, for music, is to plug in a Grant Fidelity Tube Buffer between the source and the receiver...It made a really big difference in the sound of the vinyl front end.