CD Playing: need help with setup

[MMeirolas]

Have you noticed that the 370 is a very loud CD transport? I have one and several siblings. They are all very loud to the point of distraction. Spinning up and down, noisy sled, etc. A real CD player (or even an older Sony DVD player) is a much better choice if you do any lower level listening.

I haven't really played much with it... Just checked If it worked, updated the Firmware and played a few songs. Didn't really notice any noise...

 

[MMeirolas]

I don't see an overabundance of midrange energy in that review. There is a little, fairly narrow, peak around 1.6K or so which would make vocals sound "slightly" more detailed. The linearity test shows an elevated treble region but there are DIP switches to deal with this and it isn't the same as the in-room response, which is pretty decent.

That said, I have a pair on my desk and I don't like the way they sound. Warning: subjective terms ahead! They sound grainy and slightly harsh in the treble, a bit "shut in" and the bass is strong but devoid of mid or upper bass "warmth". So I guess this means that they manage to sound "cold" and "shut in" at the same time, which is an unusual combo. I use them for Teams calls and they are fine for this, but I cannot stand them for music. I believe the technical term from my ears' perspective would be "shite".

I have their Studio 530's in my living room and really like the way they sound, in comparison. Their measurements also show a slightly peaky response between 1K and 2K but they sound warm and full with a clean but not bright treble range.

Yes, maybe that's what i disliked about the 305s... The lack of warmth.

Maybe because I'm used to the Sennheiser 6XX which have a warm sound and are enjoyable for acoustic music, rock, and so on.

Any ideas for a cheap amp that i can connect through coaxial and can drive speakers well?

What about other speakers other than the Q series?

 

[Chrispy]

I'd think regular speakers/sub, even 2.1 or 3.1 setup would be better than the soundbar. An avr is generally a good way to go, particularly 3.1 or greater, as well as for LFE content. I have a pair of the original 305s and would call them fairly neutral myself, but could well depend on settings/room to an extent. I don't use headphones let alone find headphones to be all that comparable to experiencing speakers.

 

[MMeirolas]

I'd think regular speakers/sub, even 2.1 or 3.1 setup would be better than the soundbar. An avr is generally a good way to go, particularly 3.1 or greater, as well as for LFE content. I have a pair of the original 305s and would call them fairly neutral myself, but could well depend on settings/room to an extent. I don't use headphones let alone find headphones to be all that comparable to experiencing speakers.

You think the missing surround speakers don't matter much for movies?

305 neutral, might me... Cold. I Like my music warmer, more....musical?

 

[Chrispy]

You think the missing surround speakers don't matter much for movies?

305 neutral, might me... Cold. I Like my music warmer, more....musical?

I prefer having surround and even rear surrounds if the room permits. You ever look into cable raceways? Wireless is somewhat an option, but not something I'd do particularly. I hide my wires well enough in any case. I don't really use the warm/cold type descriptions, they seem to vary too much to bother with. Musical is just a silly descriptor.

 

[MMeirolas]

I prefer having surround and even rear surrounds if the room permits. You ever look into cable raceways? Wireless is somewhat an option, but not something I'd do particularly. I hide my wires well enough in any case. I don't really use the warm/cold type descriptions, they seem to vary too much to bother with. Musical is just a silly descriptor.

OK... Then What about: "i don't enjoy a very neutral sound?"

I had these cable raceways but it's not nice looking. I have a door on the right wall from where i'm sitting. So the cables have to through the edge of the ceiling.

The left side has no wall at all... In other words: the wall is way, way to the left. So the cables had to go through the ceiling as well.

And there is no other way to configure my living room, sadly.

 

[Chrispy]

OK... Then What about: "i don't enjoy a very neutral sound?"

I had these cable raceways but it's not nice looking. I have a door on the right wall from where i'm sitting. So the cables have to through the edge of the ceiling.

The left side has no wall at all... In other words: the wall is way, way to the left. So the cables had to go through the ceiling as well.

And there is no other way to configure my living room, sadly.

Then live with your limitations and aesthetic acceptance I don't like colored sound a whole lot myself, unless I'm doing the coloring.