Wiim Amp Pro w/ KEF Q1 Meta speakers

[RLB2444]

I have had my Wiim Amp Pro w/ KEF Q1 Meta speakers for around 4 months. I love the quality of sound I am getting using TIDAL. As with most things the longer you own the more familiar you become. There is only one area of the sound that repeats the same noticeable flaw that I am hearing. Specifically with voice(s) and certainly chords of metal instruments. What I hear, and it always gets my attention, is a very slight glare or blur. I suspect it's a certain frequency that the system doesn't handle well and I suspect there is a way to fix it using the built in equalizer. I can't imagine it being cables, but not sure.

If someone would share their experiences, thoughts and knowledge about correcting it I would be grateful.

Bob

 

[hgo58]

I have had my Wiim Amp Pro w/ KEF Q1 Meta speakers for around 4 months. I love the quality of sound I am getting using TIDAL. As with most things the longer you own the more familiar you become. There is only one area of the sound that repeats the same noticeable flaw that I am hearing. Specifically with voice(s) and certainly chords of metal instruments. What I hear, and it always gets my attention, is a very slight glare or blur. I suspect it's a certain frequency that the system doesn't handle well and I suspect there is a way to fix it using the built in equalizer. I can't imagine it being cables, but not sure.

If someone would share their experiences, thoughts and knowledge about correcting it I would be grateful.

Bob

Most probably the speakers or the room.

 

[harkpabst]

I have had my Wiim Amp Pro w/ KEF Q1 Meta speakers for around 4 months. I love the quality of sound I am getting using TIDAL. As with most things the longer you own the more familiar you become. There is only one area of the sound that repeats the same noticeable flaw that I am hearing. Specifically with voice(s) and certainly chords of metal instruments. What I hear, and it always gets my attention, is a very slight glare or blur. I suspect it's a certain frequency that the system doesn't handle well and I suspect there is a way to fix it using the built in equalizer. I can't imagine it being cables, but not sure.

If someone would share their experiences, thoughts and knowledge about correcting it I would be grateful.

Have you tried RoomFit? There are many different setup parameters to try, but you could simply start with the defaults.

 

[Groove Catcher]

Rest assured it’s not your “Pro” amp. I’ve had the “lesser” amp for a year and a half. (Sarcasm) Never experienced “glare or blur”. But like @hgo58 has mentioned it’s probably on the room or speakers. Please try @harkpabst suggestion using RoomFit.

 

[goodmore]

I have had my Wiim Amp Pro w/ KEF Q1 Meta speakers for around 4 months. I love the quality of sound I am getting using TIDAL. As with most things the longer you own the more familiar you become. There is only one area of the sound that repeats the same noticeable flaw that I am hearing. Specifically with voice(s) and certainly chords of metal instruments. What I hear, and it always gets my attention, is a very slight glare or blur. I suspect it's a certain frequency that the system doesn't handle well and I suspect there is a way to fix it using the built in equalizer. I can't imagine it being cables, but not sure.

If someone would share their experiences, thoughts and knowledge about correcting it I would be grateful.

Bob

You dont mention a subwoofer. I personally believe bookshelf speakers need help with the lows.

 

[RLB2444]

You dont mention a subwoofer. I personally believe bookshelf speakers need help with the lows.

Thank you for the reply. I am on the fence with a subwoofer. I am not a fan of much bass unless it's very subtle and refined. There are some recordings that that the bass is full enough for me but with this setup but I do believe a "good" sub would add to the speakers and listening experience. I have been looking at the smallest KEF subs. Any suggestions please?

 

[RLB2444]

Most probably the speakers or the room

Rest assured it’s not your “Pro” amp. I’ve had the “lesser” amp for a year and a half. (Sarcasm) Never experienced “glare or blur”. But like @hgo58 has mentioned it’s probably on the room or speakers. Please try @harkpabst suggestion using RoomFit.

My office is not arranged yet around the speakers. I have tried EQ and Room Fit but I don't know what I'm doing. I suspect you are correct about the room. I will spend some time learning about it. I don't listen to a lot of vocal music but I sill want to find the cause and fix it. Thank you for your reply.

 

[EddNog]

Thank you for the reply. I am on the fence with a subwoofer. I am not a fan of much bass unless it's very subtle and refined. There are some recordings that that the bass is full enough for me but with this setup but I do believe a "good" sub would add to the speakers and listening experience. I have been looking at the smallest KEF subs. Any suggestions please?

It seems to me like you're looking for a good sub that can handle higher frequencies and rapid impulse (more, "musical," and better for upper-bass punch) rather than maximum extension (better for movies and for that environmental pressurization and deep rumble). The KEF KC62 is an excellent choice, but if it's out of your budget, an open-box or used SVS 3000 Micro will be the next-best option. Either subwoofer extends reasonably low, significantly lower with much greater headroom than the Q1 Metas can ever dream to go, and will dramatically improve headroom as well as significantly cut down on IMD and overall distortion for the 2-way Q1 Metas once they are high-pass filtered to integrate with the sub. You have two different options for how you implement the sub, either try to place it dead center close to the back wall exactly equidistant from both speakers and crossing over a bit higher (80-100Hz) or corner-load the sub and cross it lower (50-70Hz). For the Q1 Metas, and since you're aiming for maximum musicality over outright extension/slam, I recommend the dead center and higher crossover setup, which minimizes effects on imaging and keeps things properly symmetrical.

-Ed

 

[dangermouse]

You dont mention a subwoofer. I personally believe bookshelf speakers need help with the lows.

I doubt if the addition of a sub would resolve the issues that the OP describes.

 

[EddNog]

I doubt if the addition of a sub would resolve the issues that the OP describes.

If the Q1 Metas are being pushed towards closer to reference levels, the mid/bass driver starts going into much higher excursion, which in and of itself results in a degree of IMD, but since that driver acts as a baffle waveguide for the tweeter, the higher excursion levels also create distortion into the tweeter’s reproduction range. High-pass filtering the loudspeaker with a sub covering the frequency range that causes the greater degree of excursion in the mid/bass driver will significantly reduce overall distortion, which may well be getting detected as, “glare.” This is all readily apparent in their flagship 2-ways (LS50 Metas) and even more so with something like Q1 or Q3 Metas.

-Ed

 

[harkpabst]

I doubt if the addition of a sub would resolve the issues that the OP describes.

It might not seem obvious or feel like cheating like trying to mask defects with more bass. But honestly, even this is a valid approach if (by chance) it works.

I'm with @EddNog here. The simple reduction in cone movement really does result in much improved performance with most all mid-woofers. Less IMD and (in the case of KEF UniQ speakers) the woofer's cone being a better waveguide for the tweeter with lower excursion are really helpful.

And there's even more, e.g. reduced Doppler distortion and less thermal stress, so more consistent performance.