Audio Innovations s500

[Mikeandvan]

Only just got around to getting my TT set up and the ANks seem to be even worse with that than with cd. So I put my Chario Syntars back in and heh ho, much better. Just a much more rounded sound, admittedly I didn't manage to get the ANks right in a corner yet as that is supposed to accentuate bass, but the overall sound is so far away from what I want I see little point in trying. I do like the up front live sound of the Ks, but they're just too hard/bright/unbalanced. The Syntars are quite nice, but would like some of what the Ks did in there too. Of course I'm now listening to the Syntars with the AI S500 valve integrated as i've now sold my Croft/Quad 909 combo, and that has made them more enjoyable.

[AJSki2fly]

Only just got around to getting my TT set up and the ANks seem to be even worse with that than with cd. So I put my Chario Syntars back in and heh ho, much better. Just a much more rounded sound, admittedly I didn't manage to get the ANks right in a corner yet as that is supposed to accentuate bass, but the overall sound is so far away from what I want I see little point in trying. I do like the up front live sound of the Ks, but they're just too hard/bright/unbalanced. The Syntars are quite nice, but would like some of what the Ks did in there too. Of course I'm now listening to the Syntars with the AI S500 valve integrated as i've now sold my Croft/Quad 909 combo, and that has made them more enjoyable.

Not certain what is going on hear, but I suspect possibly two maybe three aspects. First you are used to the Charios and their sound signature, second your room may be accentuating brightness(not enough soft furnishings, lots of reflective surfaces), your hearing my be low on the bass end. Or finally you might just like lots of bass!

This review of the Charios points out “ In terms of tonal balance we can note a slight priority of the extreme top, a bit emphasizing subtle airy components. The middle is pleasantly fresh and well-balanced in terms of timbres, allowing you to imagine the sound of natural instruments with high degree of veracity. Drums and attack do not cause doubts, but in the very bottom the control of basses is slightly weakened. We liked the work of tweeter, but at high volume you can notice aggressive notes.”

So this says top can be exaggerated but at the same time bass control is a little loose. So maybe when you hear the ANs it’s not what your brain expects.

I did an experiment about a year ago where I measured the sound characteristics of our room with REW software. I then worked out the 1st and second order bass emphasis caused by the room, and using software on Audirvana tuning out those frequencies, these were at 62hz and 125hz. This was using narrow band filter at each to lower each by 15dB. The impact was profound, the music sounded odd and dulled, an article I read on this warned that it could take 3 to 5 days of listening before your brain became used to the new sound, but the benefit would be more accurate bass and overall sound.

I persevered for a week and it did start to sound better and I could hear more detail generally, but I missed some bass warmth so I reverted to the original.

So the point is you might just like a more bass rich sound, lots of people do.

[Bourney]

The Ks are a hot up top sound, you cant get away from that. For me it translates as light and airy but I can imagine how it is seen as sharp with horns.

[Audio Al]

I don't like hot up top / bright , that sound almost makes my ears bleed

[Bourney]

The AI500 should smooth it out nicely, as does my AN Soro SE. I have had them sounding sharp with SS or EL84 amps previously. Awful with a leben cs300 bizarrely.

[Mikeandvan]

I don't like hot up top / bright , that sound almost makes my ears bleed

What speakers do you use?

[Mikeandvan]

Not certain what is going on hear, but I suspect possibly two maybe three aspects. First you are used to the Charios and their sound signature, second your room may be accentuating brightness(not enough soft furnishings, lots of reflective surfaces), your hearing my be low on the bass end. Or finally you might just like lots of bass!

This review of the Charios points out “ In terms of tonal balance we can note a slight priority of the extreme top, a bit emphasizing subtle airy components. The middle is pleasantly fresh and well-balanced in terms of timbres, allowing you to imagine the sound of natural instruments with high degree of veracity. Drums and attack do not cause doubts, but in the very bottom the control of basses is slightly weakened. We liked the work of tweeter, but at high volume you can notice aggressive notes.”

So this says top can be exaggerated but at the same time bass control is a little loose. So maybe when you hear the ANs it’s not what your brain expects.

I did an experiment about a year ago where I measured the sound characteristics of our room with REW software. I then worked out the 1st and second order bass emphasis caused by the room, and using software on Audirvana tuning out those frequencies, these were at 62hz and 125hz. This was using narrow band filter at each to lower each by 15dB. The impact was profound, the music sounded odd and dulled, an article I read on this warned that it could take 3 to 5 days of listening before your brain became used to the new sound, but the benefit would be more accurate bass and overall sound.

I persevered for a week and it did start to sound better and I could hear more detail generally, but I missed some bass warmth so I reverted to the original.

So the point is you might just like a more bass rich sound, lots of people do.

Probably is something to do with my room, I'd love to move, but not an option at the minute. Been swapping the 2 sets of speakers around for the past few hours, and the amaze at times with insight and clarity, and I quite like their lean bass, but at other times unlistenable due to high treble and an almost thin overall sound. Not sure where to look next.

[Audio Al]

What speakers do you use?

Depends what day of the month it is

[AJSki2fly]

Probably is something to do with my room, I'd love to move, but not an option at the minute. Been swapping the 2 sets of speakers around for the past few hours, and the amaze at times with insight and clarity, and I quite like their lean bass, but at other times unlistenable due to high treble and an almost thin overall sound. Not sure where to look next.

As I said to Al look at these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEF-Refer...4AAOSw2j5ea5Cz

I had a pair with the A500, you’ll like top end and bassjob done

[Audio Al]

As I said to Al look at these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEF-Refer...4AAOSw2j5ea5Cz

I had a pair with the A500, you’ll like top end and bassjob done

no tweeters ?